Chaenotheca is a genus of lichenized fungi within the family Coniocybaceae. The sexual reproduction structures are a mass of loose ascospores that are enclosed by a cup shaped exciple sitting on top of a tiny stalk, having the appearance of a dressmaker's pin (called a mazaedium), hence the common name pin lichen. Genus members are also commonly called needle lichens. Species Chaenotheca balsamconensis – North America Chaenotheca biesboschii – Netherlands Chaenotheca brachypoda Chaenotheca brunneola Chaenotheca chlorella Chaenotheca chrysocephala Chaenotheca citriocephala Chaenotheca confusa – South America Chaenotheca degelii Chaenotheca deludens Chaenotheca erkahomattiorum – North America Chaenotheca ferruginea Chaenotheca furfuracea Chaenotheca gracilenta Chaenotheca gracillima Chaenotheca hispidula Chaenotheca hygrophila Chaenotheca laevigata Chaenotheca longispora Chaenotheca nitidula – North America Chaenotheca papuensis Chaenotheca phaeocephala Chaenotheca selvae Chaenotheca stemonea Chaenotheca trichialis Chaenotheca xyloxena References Ascomycota genera Lichen genera Taxa named by Theodor Magnus Fries Taxa described in 1860