Asterophora

Asterophora
Asterophora parasitica
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Lyophyllaceae
Genus:	Asterophora Ditmar (1809)
Type species
Asterophora lycoperdoides (Bull.) Ditmar (1809)
Species
A. lycoperdoides A. mirabilis A. parasitica A. salvaterrensis
Synonyms[1]
Asterosperma Pers. (1818) Nyctalis Fr. (1825) Stellifera Léman (1827)

Asterophora is a genus of fungi that grow as parasites on mushrooms. The genus contains four species, which have a widespread distribution, especially in temperate areas.[2] The most recently described species, A. salvaterrensis, was found in Pinus pinaster forests in Galicia (northwest Iberian Peninsula).[3] Asterophora species are characterized by the massive production of chlamydospores[4] in their fruit bodies and by the production of carminophilous lysosomes in their basidia. A frequently used but synonymous genus name is Nyctalis. The chlamydospores have been classified in the genus Ugola, which is an anamorphic name.

References

1. "Asterophora Ditmar 1809". MycoBank. International Mycological Association. Retrieved 2010-12-30.
2. Kirk PM, Cannon PF, Minter DW, Stalpers JA (2008). Dictionary of the Fungi (10th ed.). Wallingford, UK: CAB International. p. 64. ISBN 978-0-85199-826-8.
3. Blanco-Dios JD (2011). "Asterophora salvaterrensis (Basidiomycota, Agaricales), a new species from Galicia (Spain)". Mycotaxon. 118: 83–88. doi:10.5248/118.83.
4. Volk T. (December 2005). "Asterophora lycoperdoides, the star bearing powder cap mushroom". Fungus of the Month. Retrieved 2010-12-30.

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