The Ascomycotina (usually referred to as ascomycetes) comprises a great many and tremendously varied forms of fungi. They are characterised by the structures known as asci (singular ascus) in which the spores develop. As an example, asci of the Eyelash Fungus, Scutellinia scutellata, is shown on the left.. Most ascomycetes produce eight spores in each ascus, but some produce many more, 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.
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 is the order Pezizales, 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).
These are mainly cup fungi with the spore-bearing surface (the hymenium) on the inside of the cup, although with Morchella esculenta and its retives, the various morels, the cups are, in effect, inside out and several dozens of them are crowded together and perched on a common stem.
There are some 350 European species in this order.
The example shown here is Aleuria aurantia, Orange Peel Fungus.
In this group of ascomycetous fungi there are mainly very small, disc-like or goblet-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 currently known.
The example shown here is Chlorociboria aeruginascens, commonly known as the Green Elfcup.
This large 'super-order', with some 750 European species identified, is very varied in size, shape and colour. Typically the tiny fruitbodies are spherical, hemispherical, or flask-shaped, comprising carbonaceous perithecia which are embedded in the surface of a larger structure called a stroma.This group includes several orders including the Xylariales
The example shown here is Xylaria polymorpha, Dead Man's Fingers.
For more information about the Ascomycota (ascomycete fungi) and a deeper insight into the ecology and structure of the species featured in our Ascomycetes Gallery pages, please see Pat O'Reilly's latest book Fascinated by Fungi, author-signed copies of which are available online here...
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