lichen
A lichen ( , ) is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species in a mutualistic relationship.Pannariaceae. It contains 2 known species.
''Xanthopsoroma'' was described as a new genus in 2010 when it was separated from the closely related genus ''
Psoroma
''Psoroma'' is a genus of lichenized fungi in the family Pannariaceae
The Pannariaceae are a family of lichens in the order Peltigerales (suborder Collematineae). Species from this family have a widespread distribution, but are especially ...
''. Characteristics of ''Xanthopsoroma'' species include the production of
usnic acid
Usnic acid is a naturally occurring dibenzofuran derivative found in several lichen species with the formula C18H16O7. It was first isolated by German scientist W. Knop in 1844 and first synthesized between 1933-1937 by Curd and Robertson. Usnic a ...
and a series of distinct triterpenes as well as showing morphological differences from the related ''Psoroma'' and '' Psorophorus''.