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.