ANATOMY AND SYSTEMATICS OF USNEOID GENERA IN THE PARMELIACEAE

The anatomy of 11 genera earlier included in the Usneaceae, i.e. Bryoc aulon Karnef., Chondropsis NyI., Cornicularia Hoffm., Evernia Ach., Ev erniopsis Nyl., Himantormia Lamb, Letharia (Th. Fr.) Zahlbr., Letharie lla (Mot.) Krog, Protousnea (Mot.) Krog, Pseudevernia Zopf and Usnea A danson have been examined. Particular emphasis has been paid to the de velopment of the apothecia and the formation of a meristematic cupular exciple, characters in cortex, asci and conidia. In this respect the examined material does not deviate from other genera included in the P armeliaceae, and a separate family Usneaceae is not supported.