Convolvulaceae, commonly called the bindweeds or morning glories, is a family of about 60 genera and more than 1,650 species. These species are primarily herbaceous vines, but also include trees, shrubs and herbs. The tubers of several species are edible, the best known of which is the sweet potato.
A truffle is the fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus, predominantly one of the many species of the genus Tuber. In addition to Tuber, over one hundred other genera of fungi are classified as truffles including Geopora, Peziza, Choiromyces, and Leucangium. These genera belong to the class Pezizomycetes and the Pezizales order. Several truffle-like basidiomycetes are excluded from Pezizales, including Rhizopogon and Glomus. Truffles are ectomycorrhizal fungi, so they are usually found in close association with tree roots. Spore dispersal is accomplished through fungivores, animals that eat fungi. These fungi have significant ecological roles in nutrient cycling and drought tolerance.
An arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) is a type of mycorrhiza in which the symbiont fungus penetrates the cortical cells of the roots of a vascular plant forming arbuscules. Arbuscular mycorrhiza is a type of endomycorrhiza along with ericoid mycorrhiza and orchid mycorrhiza.
Glomeromycota are one of eight currently recognized divisions within the kingdom Fungi, with approximately 230 described species. Members of the Glomeromycota form arbuscular mycorrhizas (AMs) with the thalli of bryophytes and the roots of vascular land plants. Not all species have been shown to form AMs, and one, Geosiphon pyriformis, is known not to do so. Instead, it forms an endocytobiotic association with Nostoc cyanobacteria. The majority of evidence shows that the Glomeromycota are dependent on land plants for carbon and energy, but there is recent circumstantial evidence that some species may be able to lead an independent existence. The arbuscular mycorrhizal species are terrestrial and widely distributed in soils worldwide where they form symbioses with the roots of the majority of plant species (>80%). They can also be found in wetlands, including salt-marshes, and associated with epiphytic plants.
The Tremellomycetes are a class of dimorphic fungi in the Agaricomycotina. Some species have gelatinous basidiocarps or (microscopically) a sacculate parenthesome. There are six orders, 17 families, and 39 genera in the Tremellomycetes. Tremellomycetes include yeasts, dimorphic taxa, and species that form complex fruiting bodies. Tremellomycetes include some fungi that are human and animal pathogens in the genera Cryptococcus, Naganishia, Papiliotrema, and Trichosporon and some fungi that are cultivated for food in the genera Tremella and Naematelia.
A fungus is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as one of the traditional eukaryotic kingdoms, along with Animalia, Plantae and either Protista or Protozoa and Chromista.
The Tremellaceae are a family of fungi in the order Tremellales. The family is cosmopolitan and contains both teleomorphic and anamorphic species, most of the latter being yeasts. All teleomorphs in the Tremellaceae are parasites of other fungi, though the yeast states are widespread and not restricted to hosts. Basidiocarps, when produced, are gelatinous.
The Tremellales are an order of fungi in the class Tremellomycetes. The order contains both teleomorphic and anamorphic species, most of the latter being yeasts. All teleomorphic species in the Tremellales are parasites of other fungi, though the yeast states are widespread and not restricted to hosts. Basidiocarps, when produced, are gelatinous.
The Cuniculitremaceae are a family of fungi in the order Tremellales. There are three genera in the family. Sterigmatosporidium polymorphum parasitizes other fungi growing in insect galleries in wood. It does not produce basidiocarps, but has septate basidia similar to those found in the genus Tremella. Most species are known only from their yeast states.
The Agaricostilbomycetes are a class of fungi in the subdivision Pucciniomycotina of the Basidiomycota. The class consists of a single order, six families, and 15 genera. Most species are known only from their yeast states. Where known, basidiocarps (fruitbodies) are typically small and stilboid (pin-shaped).
The Microbotryomycetes are a class of fungi in the subdivision Pucciniomycotina of the Basidiomycota. The class currently contains eight orders, plus three additional, unassigned families, plus seven additional, unassigned genera. Many species are known only from their yeast states. Species with hyphal states typically produce auricularioid basidia and are often parasitic on other fungi or plants. Several species in the genera Rhodotorula and Sporobolomyces are opportunistic human pathogens.
The Filobasidiaceae are a family of fungi in the order Filobasidiales. Most species are yeasts, but some form gelatinous fruit bodies that are parasitic on other fungi, including lichens. The family currently contains five genera.
The Leucosporidiales are an order of fungi in the class Microbotryomycetes. The order contains a single family, the Leucosporidiaceae, which in turn contains a single genus, Leucosporidium. The order comprises fungi that are mostly known from their yeast states, though some produce hyphal states in culture that give rise to teliospores from which auricularioid basidia emerge.
The Cryptococcaceae are a family of fungi in the order Tremellales. The family currently contains two genera. Some species produce filamentous, sexual states with distinctive basidia and are parasites of other fungi. Most, however, are only known from their yeast states. Several species of Cryptococcus are human pathogens.
The Bulleraceae are a family of fungi in the order Tremellales. The family currently contains five genera. Some species produce gelatinous basidiocarps and were formerly placed in the genus Tremella. Most, however, are only known from their yeast states.
The Piskurozymaceae are a family of fungi in the order Filobasidiales. Most species are only known from their yeast states, but some produce filamentous sexual states with basidia that are parasitic on other fungi. The family currently contains two genera.
The Rhynchogastremaceae are a family of fungi in the order Tremellales. The family currently contains two genera. Some species produce filamentous sexual states with septate basidia and are parasites of other fungi. Most, however, are only known from their yeast states.
The Trimorphomycetaceae are a family of fungi in the order Tremellales. The family currently contains four genera. Some species produce filamentous sexual states and are parasites of other fungi. Most, however, are only known from their yeast states.
The Tetragoniomycetaceae are a family of fungi in the order Trichosporonales. The family currently contains four genera. Several species are only known from their yeast states.
The Carcinomycetaceae are a family of fungi in the order Tremellales. The family currently contains a single genus. Some species produce filamentous sexual states with basidia and are parasites of other fungi. Some, however, are only known from their yeast states.
