Pyrenulales

(pyrenolichens) An order of the Ascolichenes or of the Pyrenomycetes containing lichens in which the fungal partner produces perithecia (pyrenocarps). These are buried in the thallus and only visible as dots on the surface. There are over 1500 species in the Pyrenulales, common genera including Dermatocarpon, Pyrenula, and Verrucaria. Lichens with fungi that form bitunicate rather than unitunicate perithecia may be placed in a separate order, the Pseudosphaeriales.