Geoglossaceae | |
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Geoglossum umbratile | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Subdivision: | Pezizomycotina |
Class: | Geoglossomycetes |
Order: | Geoglossales |
Family: | Geoglossaceae Corda |
Type genus | |
Geoglossum Pers. |
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Genera | |
Geoglossum |
Geoglossaceae is a family of fungi in the class Geoglossomycetes. It was previously defined with 6 genera and 48 species[1] and was broadly known as earth tongues. Molecular phylogenetics has shown that genera with mainly light or colored spores and sexual structures belong in the Leotiomycetes. The remaining genera with dark spores and sexual structures in the family is only distantly related and are now placed in a new class (Geoglossomycetes) and order (Geoglossales).[2] Earth tongues live in soil or among rotting vegetation.[3] Earth tongues are generally small, black, and poker shaped fungi with a height of 2–8 cm. These fungi can sometimes be found covered in white spores. A microscope is needed to identify them.[4]
Earth tongues are most abundant in "grassy places, in coniferous woodland, in broad-leaved woodland, and in mixed woodland".[3] Their locations include the Southern Appalachians, Smokies, and CabinCove, USA.[5]