| Podostroma alutaceum |
| Found in July growing from the roots of a fallen American beech tree. |
INDIANA MUSHROOMS
Podostroma alutaceum belongs to a class of fungi known as Ascomycetes,
the sac fungi; and to a particular group called flask fungi (pyrenomycetes),
which includes Xylaria and Cordyceps species. These fungi develop tiny
fruiting bodies (perithecia) that are embedded in what George Barron calls
"a massive fungus matrix", the stroma.
the sac fungi; and to a particular group called flask fungi (pyrenomycetes),
which includes Xylaria and Cordyceps species. These fungi develop tiny
fruiting bodies (perithecia) that are embedded in what George Barron calls
"a massive fungus matrix", the stroma.
| Asci with spores. (Perithecia completely broken away during slide preparation.) |
| Cross-section of stroma showing perithecia. Asci, the spore producing cells, develop within these walled chambers. |
| Top views of stroma showing small pores (ostiole) where spores are released from the perithecia. |
| Resources: George Barron's Mycology CD The Fifth Kingdom Australian National Botanic Gardens - Flask Fungi Tree of Life - Ascomycota Using a Microscope to Study Mushrooms MushroomExpert.Com |
