Geoglossaceae

Geoglossaceae
Geoglossum umbratile
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Subdivision: Pezizomycotina
Class: Geoglossomycetes
Order: Geoglossales
Family: Geoglossaceae
Corda
Type genus
Geoglossum
Pers.
Genera

Geoglossum
Sarcoleotia
Trichoglossum

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]

Location

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]

References

  1. ^ Kirk PM, Cannon PF, Minter DW, Stalpers JA. (2008). Dictionary of the Fungi. (10th ed.). Wallingford: CABI. p. 279. ISBN 978-0-85199-826-8. 
  2. ^ Schoch CL, Wang Z, Townsend JP, Spatafora JW, 2009. Geoglossomycetes cl. nov., Geoglossales ord. nov. and taxa above class rank in the Ascomycota Tree of Life. Persoonia 22, 129-138.[1]
  3. ^ a b L. Watson and M. J. Dallwitz (2009-06-20). "The Families of Mushrooms and Toadstools Represented in the British Isles". http://delta-intkey.com/britfu/www/geogloss.htm. 
  4. ^ "Family: Geoglossaceae." The Hidden Forest. 26 Aug. 2009 <http://www.hiddenforest.co.nz/fungi/family/geoglossaceae/geoglossaceae.htm>.
  5. ^ "Geoglossaceae." Tree of Life Web Project. 19 Mar. 2007. <http://www.tolweb.org/Geoglossaceae/29055>.