Pertusariales

The Pertusariales is an order of fungi that includes lichen-forming species. These fungi are typically found growing on rocks, mosses, and tree bark. Their primary thallus can be crustose, squamulose, or foliose, and they possess clustered or solitary apothecia, which are the spore-producing structures. The ascospores, which are the sexual spores, may be colorless. In some cases, the ascocarps (fruiting bodies) may be absent. The order includes genera such as Coccotrema, Icmadophila, Ochrolechia, and Pertusaria. The genus Pertusaria itself is known for its crustose lichens, which have been used as sources for litmus and archil. Fungi, as a kingdom, are diverse and include over 99,000 known species, encompassing mushrooms, yeasts, and more.123