Lichen product

Lichen products are represented in several different chemical classes, including terpenoids, orcinol derivatives, chromones, xanthones, depsides, and depsidones.

[10][11] More recently, published techniques demonstrate ways to more efficiently harvest secondary metabolites from lichen samples.

[12] Lichen products play a crucial role in differentiating lichenised fungi, particularly in groups where morphological characteristics are less distinct.

This approach is notably applied in the genus Lepraria, which lacks sexual reproduction and ascomata (fruiting bodies), typically key features for species identification.

[20] Similarly, in genera with more complex structures like the crustose genus Ochrolechia,[21] and the fruticose Cladonia,[22][23] the presence, absence, or substitution of specific lichen products is frequently used to distinguish species, especially when these variations align with differences in geographical distribution.