Phylloblastia
Phylloblastia is a genus of foliicolous lichens in the family Verrucariaceae. The genus was circumscribed in 1921 by Finnish lichenologist Edvard August Vainio, with Phylloblastia dolichospora assigned as the type species.
Description
Genus Phylloblastia comprises crustose lichens with sometimes very tiny, scale-like formations. The of these lichens is either absent or very thin, structured in a manner. In species found outside of Europe, disc-shaped to shield-like isidia are often observed. The component is typically, featuring green algal cells that are angular-rounded and grouped irregularly or in clusters.The ascomata, or spore-producing structures, are, which means they are and range from hemispherical to almost spherical in shape. These structures have colours from pale orange to black. While paraphyses are absent, are usually present. The asci have a structure, meaning they have a double wall that splits to release spores.
Typically, there are eight per ascus. These spores are oblong to cylindrical in shape, with transverse or septation, but without constrictions at the septa, and are colourless. The genus does not show the presence of . Chemical analysis using thin-layer chromatography has not detected any specific secondary metabolites in these lichens.