PYRENOMYCETIDAE (or Hymenomycetidae--the Pyrenomycetes): asci borne in a layer; ascocarp a cleistothecium or a perithecium; contains Chaetomiales, Clavicipitales, Coronophorales, Diaportheales, Erysiphales, Hypocreales, Phyllachorales, Sordariales, and Xylariales

• Clavicipitales: stroma present; ascospores scolecosporous (worm-shaped); ascus unitunicate, apex inamyloid

• One family: Clavicipitaceae: two genera--Claviceps and Cordyceps

• Cordyceps: stalked stroma arise from a sclerotium in insects or in fungal fruiting bodies.

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Cordyceps ophioglossoides is quite common in the Big Lagoon Spruce forests near Trinidad. In nature, this species parasitizes the hypgeous ascocarps of Elaphomyces. In Big Lagoon, the elongate head of the stroma protrude above the moss beds under which (6-10 inches) the parasitized hypogeous ascocarps are to be found.

Cordyceps militaris	Cordyceps ophioglossoides with yellow rhizomorphs attached to ascocarps

classification system (places icons into orders)

index to genera/species