Phyllobathelium is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Strigulaceae. It comprises eight species of foliicolous (leaf-dwelling, crustose lichens.
Taxonomy The Swiss lichenologist Johannes Müller Argoviensis first proposed Phyllobathelium in 1883 as a section of the genus Bathelium. He promoted it to full genus status in 1890.
Description The main characteristic of the genus is the presence of black, amorphous to (i.e., powdery and crumbly) structures on the upper part of the wall of the perithecium (fruiting bodies).
Species , Species Fungorum (in the Catalogue of Life) accept eight species of Phyllobathelium: Phyllobathelium anomalum – Ecuador Phyllobathelium chlorogastricum – South America Phyllobathelium epiphyllum Phyllobathelium firmum Phyllobathelium leguminosae Phyllobathelium megapotamicum Phyllobathelium nigrum – Australia; Fiji; Java Phyllobathelium thaxteri
Two species once placed in this genus have since been transferred to Swinscowia: Phyllobathelium albolinitum = Swinscowia albolinita Phyllobathelium obtectum = Swinscowia obtecta
Phyllobathelium nudum was transferred to the genus Phyllocraterina in 2013, and is now known as Phyllocraterina nuda.
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