Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their taxonomy, genetics, biochemical properties, and use by humans. Fungi can be a source of tinder, food, traditional medicine, as well as entheogens, poison, and infection. Mycology branches into the field of phytopathology, the study of plant diseases. The two disciplines are closely related, because the vast majority of plant pathogens are fungi. A biologist specializing in mycology is called a mycologist.
Calvatia is a genus of puffball mushrooms that includes the spectacular giant puffball C. gigantea. It was formerly classified within the now-obsolete order Lycoperdales, which, following a restructuring of fungal taxonomy brought about by molecular phylogeny, has been split; the puffballs, Calvatia spp. are now placed in the family Agaricaceae of the order Agaricales.
Tylopilus is a genus of over 100 species of mycorrhizal bolete fungi separated from Boletus. Its best known member is the bitter bolete, the only species found in Europe. More species are found in North America, such as the edible species T. alboater. Australia is another continent where many species are found. All members of the genus form mycorrhizal relationships with trees. Members of the genus are distinguished by their pinkish pore surfaces.
Gymnopilus purpuratus is a species of agaric fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae. It grows in clusters on dead wood, tree stumps and wood chip mulch. It is widely distributed and has been recorded in Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, the UK and Germany. It has a broadly convex cap covered in small dry reddish-brown scales, a stout yellow stem beneath reddish brown, wine-red to purple vertical fibres, and a thick rusty orange spore print.
Weraroa was a genus of mushrooms from the families Hymenogastraceae and Strophariaceae. The genus was initially described by mycologist Rolf Singer in 1958 to accommodate the single species Secotium novae-zelandiae reported by Gordon Herriott Cunningham in 1924. It was thought that the genus represented an intermediary evolutionary stage between a hypogeous (underground) ancestor and the related epigeous genus Stropharia. Advances in phylogenetics and taxonomic changes since 1958 found it contained unrelated species from multiple genera. It is now considered a synonym of the genus Psilocybe.
Calostoma is a genus of 29 species of gasteroid fungi in the suborder Sclerodermatineae. Like other gasteroid fungi, Calostoma do not have the spore discharge mechanism associated with typical gilled fungi (ballistospory), and instead have enclosed spore-bearing structures. Resembling round puffballs with raised, brightly colored spore openings (ostioles), elevated on a thick, gelatinous stalks, species have been collected in regions of deciduous, temperate, tropical or subtropical forests. Their distribution includes eastern North America, Central America, Asia, and Australasia. The common name given to some species, "prettymouth", alludes to the brightly colored raised openings (ostioles) that may somewhat resemble lips. Other common names include "hotlips" and "puffball in aspic".
Podaxis is a genus of secotioid fungi in the family Agaricaceae. Species, which have the appearance of a "stalked-puffball", have a worldwide distribution, and tend to be found growing solitary or scattered on sandy soils, especially in arid regions. Although close to 50 species have been described, it has been argued that many of them may represent extremes in the natural range of variations found in Podaxis pistillaris.
The Helotiaceae are a family of fungi in the order Helotiales. The distribution of species in the family are widespread, and typically found in tropical areas. There are 117 genera and 826 species in the family.
Battarrea is a genus of mushroom-producing fungi. The genus used to be classified in the family Tulostomaceae until molecular phylogenetics revealed its affinity to the Agaricaceae. Species of Battarrea have a peridium that rests atop an elongated, hollow stipe with a surface that tends to become torn into fibrous scales. Inside the peridium, the gleba consists of spherical, warted spores, and a capillitium of simple or branched hyphal threads that have spiral or angular thickenings. The genus is named after Italian priest and naturalist Giovanni Antonio Battarra.
Disciseda is a genus of gasteroid fungi in the family Agaricaceae. It is a widely distributed genus that is prevalent in arid zones. Disciseda was circumscribed by mycologist Vassiliĭ Matveievitch Czernajew in 1845.
Amaurodon is a genus of fungi in the family Thelephoraceae. Most species in the genus have resupinate and corticioid fruit bodies that grow on rotting wood. The hymenophore may have pores, teeth, or be smooth, and is typically blue to green in color.
Podonectria is a genus in the monotypic Podonectriaceae family of fungi. They are parasitic fungus on scale insects, other fungi, or on substrates that had previously colonized by other fungi.
Coniophora is a genus of fungi within the order Boletales. Basidiocarps are corticioid (patch-forming). There are 20 species in the genus, which has a widespread distribution. One notable member is the cellar fungus (C. puteana), which causes wet rot in wood. Molecular analysis has revealed that there are cryptic species in the fungal lineages Coniophora olivacea, C. arida, and C. puteana.
George Edward Massee was an English mycologist, plant pathologist, and botanist.
The Pucciniosiraceae are a family of rust fungi in the order Pucciniales. The family contains 10 genera and 57 species.
Protoglossum is a genus of fungus in the family Cortinariaceae. Protoglossum was circumscribed by George Edward Massee in 1891.
Geastrum subiculosum is an inedible species of fungus belonging to the genus Geastrum, or earthstar fungi. The fungus was first described scientifically by Cooke and Massee in 1887, based on material found near Trinity Bay, Australia. The fungus grows on decaying wood, and the fruit bodies are characterized by an extensive velvet-like subiculum. The spores are roughly spherical and measure 3.6–4.2 μm. The species is found in Australia, Africa, North America, and South America.
Tylopilus funerarius is a bolete fungus in the family Boletaceae. Found in Singapore, it was described as new to science in 1909 by English mycologist George Edward Massee. He described it as a "sombre, uninviting species, characterised by brownish-black velvety pileus and brown tube and pores", and considered it similar in appearance to Boletus chrysenteron. The species was transferred to the genus Tylopilus in 1981.
Termitomyces umkowaan is a species of agaric fungus in the family Lyophyllaceae. Found in South Africa, it was described as new to science in 1889 by Mordecai Cubitt Cooke and George Edward Massee from collections made in Durban. Cooke noted that was "called Umkowaan by the natives, and is delicious when cooked, much superior to the common mushroom." Derek Reid transferred the fungus to the genus Termitomyces in 1975.
Cerocorticium molle is a species of crust fungus in the family Meruliaceae.
