This was originally a monotypic genus of the Rhizocarpaceae resembling Epilichen in both ascus structure and the nature of the hamathecial filaments (see Hafellner 1978), but differing in the squamulose, thick thallus and in the position of the apothecia. The genus has been emended by Möller & al. (2025) to include also the crustose species formerly assigned to Epilichen.

References

Hafellner J. 1978. Catolechia Flotow ex Massalongo emend. Körber und Epilichen Clements ex Hafellner - zwei nahe verwandte Flechtengattungen. Nova Hedwigia, 30: 673-692.
Möller E.J., Timdal E., Haugan R., Bendiksby M. 2025. Integrative taxonomy and genus delimitation in the Rhizocarpaceae (lichenized Ascomycota). Fungal Syst. Evol., 16: 215-231.

Last modified: July, 29, 2025

Project Dryades, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste - CC BY-SA 4.0