Sphaerophoraceae

The Sphaerophoraceae are a family of lichen-forming fungi in the order Lecanorales. Species of this family have a widespread distribution, especially in southern temperate regions, with particular diversity in cool temperate rainforests and strongly oceanic areas of both hemispheres. The family, proposed by Elias Magnus Fries in 1831, is characterised by boundary tissue separating generative and vegetative parts, and includes species with various growth forms ranging from shrub-like (fruticose) to crusty (crustose). Most members produce mazaedia, specialised spore-dispersing structures typically found at branch tips, though some genera have different reproductive strategies. The family contains seven genera and 39 species, with members producing characteristic secondary metabolites such as sphaerophorin. While traditionally defined by fruticose growth forms and mazaedial reproduction, later molecular studies supported a broader circumscription that includes morphologically diverse genera such as the crustose Gilbertaria.