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The Ascomycetes - the cup fungi and flask fungi - is the largest fungal class
of all, containing 230 families and more than 3000 genera. Over 400,000 species are
known to exist, but the unknown part of this class of the fungal kingdom could
be much greater.
Of particular interest are the orders Pezizales, which Tuberales, which
includes the morels (Morchella esculenta is a fairly
common species), which are greatly prized as edible mushrooms but must always be
cooked before eating, and their deadly imposters the false morels (Gyromitra esculenta).
The Ascomycotina (usually referred to as Ascomycetes) comprises
a great many and tremendously varied forms of fungi. Many are so small that it
is impossible to study them without a microscope, and so in this Guide attention is focused only on the larger
forms, most of which come within the
orders Pezizales, Helotiales and Sphaeriales. |
Pezizales
These are mainly cup fungi with the spore-bearing surface (the hymenium) on
the inside of the cup, although with Morels the cup is, in effect, inside out and
perched on a stem.
There are some 350 European species in this order. |
Aleuria
aurantia
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Helotiales
In this group there are mainly very small, disc-like fungi; however, two of the larger species, Bulgaria
inquinans and Chlorociboria aeruginascens, are quite frequently
encountered.
More than 100 European species from this order are known. |
Chlorociboria
aeruginascens
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Sphaeriales
This large order, with some 750 European species identified, is very varied
in size, shape and colour. |
Hypoxylon
polymorpha
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