The Hymenochaetales are an order of fungi in the class Agaricomycetes. The order in its current sense is based on molecular research and not on any unifying morphological characteristics. According to one 2008 estimate, the Hymenochaetales contain around 600 species worldwide, mostly corticioid fungi and poroid fungi, but also including several clavarioid fungi and agarics. Species of economic importance include wood decay fungi in the genera Phellinus and Inonotus sensu lato, some of which may cause losses in forestry. Therapeutic properties are claimed for Inonotus obliquus ("chaga") and Phellinus linteus, both of which are now commercially marketed.
The Corticiaceae are a family of fungi in the order Corticiales. The family formerly included almost all the corticioid fungi, whether they were related or not, and as such was highly artificial. In its current sense, however, the name Corticiaceae is restricted to a comparatively small group of mainly corticioid genera within the Corticiales, though the family is as yet not well defined.
Atheliaceae is a family of corticioid fungi placed under the monotypic order Atheliales. Both the order and the family were described by Walter Jülich in 1981. According to a 2008 estimate, the family contains 20 genera and approximately 100 species. However, many genera formerly considered to belong in the Atheliaceae have since been moved to other families, including Amylocorticiaceae, Albatrellaceae, and Hygrophoraceae. Despite being a relatively small group with inconspicuous forms, Atheliaceae members show great diversity in life strategies and are widespread in distribution. Additionally, being a group strictly composed of corticioid fungi, they may also provide insights on the evolution of fruiting body forms in basidiomycetes.
The Phanerochaetaceae are a family of mostly crust fungi in the order Polyporales.
The Corticiales are an order of fungi in the class Agaricomycetes. The order is mostly composed of corticioid fungi, but also includes one anomalous agaricoid species, Marchandiomphalina foliacea. Species within the order are generally saprotrophic, most of them wood-rotters, but several are parasitic on grasses or lichens. Those of economic importance include Waitea circinata, a pathogen of cereal crops, and Laetisaria fuciformis, the cause of red thread disease in turf grass.
The Echinodontiaceae are a family of crust fungi in the order Russulales. Species of this family, divided amongst two genera—Echinodontium and Laurilia—have a widespread distribution, although they are especially predominant in north temperate zones. They are parasitic or saprobic on wood, and may cause white rot of angiosperms and gymnosperms.
Phlebia is a genus of mostly crust fungi in the family Meruliaceae. The genus has a widespread distribution. Phlebia species cause white rot.
Gloeocystidiellum is a single genus of fungi in the monotypic Gloeocystidiellaceae family. Its species form crust-like, smooth fruitbodies. It is probably polyphyletic and may be restricted to the group around the type species G. porosum.
Pseudoxenasma is a fungal genus in the family Russulaceae, described in 1976. The genus is monotypic and contains the single species Pseudoxenasma verrucisporum, found in Sweden.
Hericium is a genus of edible mushrooms in the family Hericiaceae. Species in this genus are white and fleshy and grow on dead or dying wood; fruiting bodies resemble a mass of fragile icicle-like spines that are suspended from either a branched supporting framework or from a tough, unbranched cushion of tissue. This distinctive structure has earned Hericium species a variety of common names—monkey's head, lion's mane, and bear's head are examples. Taxonomically, this genus was previously placed within the order Aphyllophorales, but recent molecular studies now place it in the Russulales.
The corticioid fungi are a group of fungi in the Basidiomycota typically having effused, smooth basidiocarps that are formed on the undersides of dead tree trunks or branches. They are sometimes colloquially called crust fungi or patch fungi. Originally such fungi were referred to the genus Corticium and subsequently to the family Corticiaceae, but it is now known that all corticioid species are not necessarily closely related. The fact that they look similar is an example of convergent evolution. Since they are often studied as a group, it is convenient to retain the informal (non-taxonomic) name of "corticioid fungi" and this term is frequently used in research papers and other texts.
Luellia is a genus of corticioid fungi in the family Hydnodontaceae. The genus contains three species found in Europe and North America.
Dextrinodontia is a fungal genus in the family Hydnodontaceae. The genus is monotypic, containing the single species Dextrinodontia molliuscula, found in Tanzania.
Hyphodontiella is a genus of two species of wood-inhabiting corticioid fungi. The genus contains two species found in Nordic countries. Hyphodontiella was circumscribed by Swedish mycologist Åke Strid in 1975. Originally classified in the family Corticiaceae along with most other corticioid fungi, it was moved to the Clavariaceae in 2007.
Fibriciellum is a fungal genus in the family Hydnodontaceae. The genus is monotypic, and contains one corticioid species, Fibriciellum silvae-ryae, found in Europe. The genus and species were described in 1975.
Piloderma is a genus of fungi in the family Atheliaceae. The distinguishing characteristics of Piloderma are the thick-walled basidiospores, the club-shaped basidia with stalk-like bases, and the clampless-septate hyphae. The widespread genus contains six species.
Athelicium is a genus of corticioid fungi in the family Atheliaceae. The genus contains two species known from Europe.
Phlebiella is a genus of crust fungi in the order Polyporales.
Leptosporomyces is a genus of resupinate (crust-like) fungi in the family Amylocorticiaceae. The genus is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere and contains 11 species.
Lobulicium is a fungal genus in the family Atheliaceae. The genus is monotypic, containing the single species Lobulicium occultum, found in Europe. The fungus produces small, crust-like (resupinate) fruit bodies on decayed wood. Its spores are thin-walled, and have seven lobes.
