Hydnangiaceae


The Hydnangiaceae are a family of fungi in the mushroom order Agaricales. Widespread in temperate and tropical regions throughout the world, the family contains about 30 species in four genera. Species in the Hydnangiaceae form ectomycorrhizal relationships with various species of trees in both coniferous and deciduous forests.

Description

They may have fruit bodies with stipes and caps, or gasteroid. When pileate, the cap is smooth to scaly, sometimes striate, typically orange-brown or violet in color. The gills are widely spaced, thick, and waxy. In gasteroid forms, fruit body shape is irregular, with thin walls. Also, the peridium is sometimes short-lasting. Columella may be absent or present, the hymenia are not gelatinized, and are formed in locules. Basidia are club-shaped, with two or four sterigmata, sometimes with accompanying cheilocystidia.

Distribution and habitat

Hydnangiaceae taxa have a widespread distribution in both temperate and tropical zones.

Ecology

Hydnangiaceae species are ectomycorrhizal, forming symbiotic relationships with various plant species, and have an important role in forest ecosystems.

Genera