Specimen image via iDigBio · BY
Enchylium
Sign in to saveEnchylium is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Collemataceae. The genus was originally established as a section of the related genus Collema in 1810, but molecular studies have since confirmed it forms a distinct evolutionary lineage. These lichens are characterised by their gelatinous, water-absorbing thalli that swell noticeably after rain and typically colonise bare soil or rock surfaces in well-lit environments. Most species are pioneers that help stabilise loose substrates before other plants and lichens become established.
Species
PHYLUM
- KingdomFungi
- PhylumAscomycota
- ClassLecanoromycetes
- OrderPeltigerales
- FamilyCollemataceae
via GBIF
Museum specimens
- Specimen records
- 84
- With media
- 26
- Family
- Collemataceae
- Collections
- NY, CMN
- Recorded in
- United States, Canada, Puerto Rico
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Parent taxon
- Collemataceae
- Image
- Enchylium polycarpon 229811.jpg
Show 4 more facts
- taxon rank
- genus
- taxon name
- Enchylium
- Commons category
- Enchylium
- taxon author citation
- Gray
via Wikidata · CC0
~6 min read
Encyclopedic overview
5 sectionsContents
- Taxonomy
- Description
- Habitat and distribution
- Species
- References
Enchylium is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Collemataceae. The genus was originally established as a section of the related genus Collema in 1810, but molecular studies have since confirmed it forms a distinct evolutionary lineage. These lichens are characterised by their gelatinous, water-absorbing thalli that swell noticeably after rain and typically colonise bare soil or rock surfaces in well-lit environments. Most species are pioneers that help stabilise loose substrates before other plants and lichens become established.
==Taxonomy==
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Enchylium” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.