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

Claviceps purpurea.Causes ergot of rye throughout the world.; the female part of flower becomes converted into a mass of mycelium (the sclerotium) from which the ascostroma develops.

classification system (places icons into orders)

index to genera/species