View A43-1112-1979-eng.pdf

ASCOMYCETES
ASCOMYCETES
The Ascomycetes comprise a vast number of species of fungi that differ
fundamentally from the Basidiomycetes in the manner in which the spores are
formed. In the Basidiomycetes the spores are formed outside the mother cell or
basidium, usually developing on Httle stalks that arise from it, whereas in the
Ascomycetes the spores are produced within the mother cell or ascus and are
not discharged until they are mature.
The great majority of the Ascomycetes are minute fungi requiring a
microscope for determination of their characters but some are large enough to
attract the attention of the amateur collector and a few are known to be among
our best edible fungi. Although a microscope is needed to actually see the
difference between an ascus and a basidium, in practice it is not difficult to
recognize an ascomycete in the field.
All of the species described here, with one exception, belong in the section
Discomycetes in which the asci are borne in an exposed fruiting layer or
hymenium and not within a closed fruiting body. Relatively few species are
described here and anyone interested in the group should consult special
works deahng with them. The single pyrenomycete described, Hypomyces
lactifluorum (Schw.) TuL, is not included in the key.
Key
1. Fruiting body with a distinct stipe and differentiated pileus 2
1. Fruiting body more or less cup-shaped, without a differentiated
pileus but sometimes stipitate 8
2. Pileus pitted or honeycombed 3
2. Pileus convoluted, wrinkled, or smooth, not pitted 5
3. Base of pileus attached to stipe 4
3. Base of pileus free from the stipe Verpa bohemica
4. Pileus subglobose to ovoid; pits irregular with edges
the same color or paler Morchella esculenta
4. Pileus conical; pits more or less longitudinally
arranged with edges darker Morchella angusticeps
5. Pileus irregular, reddish brown, surface convoluted;
growing on the ground in spring Gyromitra esculenta
5. Pileus slightly wrinkled or smooth, usually more
or less saddle-shaped 6
6. Stipe deeply longitudinally fluted Helvella crispa
6. Stipe smooth or slightly furrowed at base 7
7. Pileus smoky gray to smoky yellowish or nearly black Helvella elastica
7. Pileus tan to reddish brown Gyromitra infula
8. Cups bright scarlet, whitish-hairy externally;
growing on sticks in the spring Sarcoscypha coccinea
8. Cups not scarlet 9
9. Cups black, stipitate, tough Urnula craterium
9. Cup brownish, sessile to substipitate, soft, fleshy,
spreading out widely; growing on wood Peziza repanda
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