An order of the Ascolichenes, also known as the Discolichenes. Lecanorales is the largest and most typical order of lichens and parallels closely the fungal order Helotiales. The apothecia are open and discoid, with a typical hymenium and hypothecium. There are four growth forms—crustose, squamulose, foliose, and fruticose—all showing greater variability than any other order of lichens.