Global phylogeny of the family (, ) sheds light on the origin, diversification and endemism in foliicolous lineages.

Foliicolous lichens grow on living leaves of vascular plants. They are mostly found in tropical to subtropical or temperate rainforests. Many phenotype-based species are considered as pantropical or even sub-cosmopolitan, either attributed to old ages, having existed prior to continental breakups or long-distance dispersal.