| Leotia | |
|---|---|
| Leotia lubrica | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Phylum: | Ascomycota |
| Subphylum: | Pezizomycotina |
| Class: | Leotiomycetes |
| Order: | Helotiales |
| Family: | Leotiaceae |
| Genus: | Leotia Pers. (1794) |
| Type species | |
| Leotia lubrica (Scop.) Pers. (1797) |
|
| Species | |
Leotia is a genus of cup fungi of the phylum Ascomycota. Leotia species are globally distributed, and are believed to be saprobic[1]. They are commonly known as jelly babies because of the gelatinous texture of their fruiting bodies.
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Leotia species are characterized by their capitate ascocarps. Within the class Leotiomycetes, Leotia species produce large fruiting bodies; their long-stalked apothecia bear a fertile layer of asci that covers the upper surface of a mushroom-like cap.
Leotia is closely related to Microglossum[1], another genus characterized by capitate ascocarps. The species of Leotia have traditionally been defined largely by the fresh color of the ascocarps (tan in L. lubrica, olive-green in L. atrovirens, and green-headed with a yellow stalk in L. viscosa). However, a molecular phylogenetic study[2] revealed that color is a poor predictor of species affiliation, suggesting further study is needed to develop new, more predictive species concepts.