Graphidaceae

The Graphidaceae are a family of lichen-forming fungi in the order Graphidales. The family contains nearly a hundred genera and more than 2000 species. Although the family has a cosmopolitan distribution, most Graphidaceae species occur in tropical regions, and typically grow on bark. These lichens are characterized by their crust-like growth form and typically partner with orange-pigmented Trentepohlia algae. Many species produce distinctive elongated, slit-like fruiting bodies, and some have unusually large ascospores that can begin germinating almost immediately upon release. The family originated approximately 176 million years ago and has diversified steadily since, with major bursts of new species arising alongside the spread of flowering plants and tropical rainforests.