Leprocaulon

Leprocaulon
Leprocaulon knudsenii in southern California
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Leprocaulales
Family: Leprocaulaceae
Genus: Leprocaulon
Nyl. ex Lamy (1879)
Type species
Leprocaulon nanum
(Ach.) Nyl. (1879)

Leprocaulon is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Leprocaulaceae. Members of the genus Leprocaulon are commonly called cottonthread lichens. These small lichens typically form soft, powdery coatings on their growing surfaces, sometimes developing tiny white thread-like structures that create a cottony appearance. The genus contains eleven recognised species found primarily in North America and Europe.