Astrochapsa

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Astrochapsa is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the Graphidaceae family, with about 30 species. It was defined in 2012 after DNA studies showed that several species once placed in Chapsa formed a separate lineage; the type species is Astrochapsa astroidea.

The genus is distinguished by a bark-dwelling crust (thallus) with a dense outer layer, apothecia whose rims tend to curve outward, and colorless spores that are elongated and have a faint thickening between cells (subdistoseptate) and do not react with iodine (non-amyloid). Many Astrochapsa species lack detectable lichen substances, though some have stictic acid derivatives.

Astrochapsa lichens grow on tree bark in warm, humid forests, from lowlands to montane areas, in tropical environments. They are mainly found in the Neotropics, tropical Africa, and parts of Asia–Pacific. For example, A. martinicensis comes from Martinique, and A. fusca is known from tropical West Africa. As of October 2025, 29 species are accepted in Species Fungorum.