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Fungi Taxonomy

Two broad groups of macrofungi
(fungi we can see with our naked eyes)

Fungi Taxonomy Chart - Tasmanian fungi

Download the free chart!

Ascomycetes

M= Mycorrhizal - feeds by forming relationship with trees

S= Saprotroph - feed on decaying organic matter

P= Parasite - feed on living organisms

Fungi that are ascomycetes have their spores in ascii. This group includes, cups, jellies, pins, morels, gall-like fungi and clubs. Microscopic image of Morchella sp. spores

Ascomycetes

Fungi that are ascomycetes have their spores in ascii. This group includes, cups, jellies, pins, morels, gall-like fungi and clubs.

Discs - S

Discs found on wood or soil. Example: Aleuria aurantia on soil.

Found on soil, Leotia lubrica

Pins - S

Found on soil, Example: Leotia lubrica

Morels can have saprotrophic or mycorrhizal lifemodes.

Morels - S (M)

Example: Morels are found on soil and can have saprotrophic or mycorrhizal lifemodes. Often appearing after bushfires.

Beech Orange P
A weak parasite of Myrtle - Nothofagus cunninghamii

Beech Orange - P

Example: Beech Orange
A weak parasite of Myrtle - Nothofagus cunninghamii

Dung Fungi Disc - S Found on native herbivore dung.
Cheilymenia sp.

Discs - S

Disc - S - Discs found on dung. Example: Cheilymenia sp.

Found on soil and litter. Example: Geoglossum sp.

Clubs - S

Found on soil and litter. Example: Geoglossum sp.

Club fruitbodies are found on soil with attached larvae underground. Example: Ophiocordyceps robertsii is often a parasite of moth larvae.

Clubs - P

Club fruitbodies are found on soil with attached larvae underground. Example: Ophiocordyceps robertsii is often a parasite of moth larvae.

Basidiomycetes

M= Mycorrhizal - feeds by forming relationship with trees

S= Saprotroph - feed on decaying organic matter

P= Parasite - feed on living organisms

Basidiomycetes - spores released from basidia - microscopic image of Amanita spores.

Basidiomycetes - spores released from basidia

Basidiomycetes - spores released from basidia - microscopic image of Amanita spores.

Fungi with gills may be found on wood or soil.

Agarics - MS

Fungi with gills may be found on wood or soil.

Fungi with folds instead of gills. Example: Chanterelles

Chanterelles - S (M)

Fungi with folds instead of gills found on soil. Example: Chanterelles

Boletes have pores instead of gills and are usually found on very well rotted wood or soil.

Boletes - M

Boletes have pores instead of gills and are usually found on very well rotted wood or soil.

Most coral fungi are usually found on the ground, but some species do grow on wood.

Corals - MS

Most coral fungi are usually found on the ground, but some species do grow on wood.

Truffle-like, sequestrate, hypogeous fungi are found on leaf litter or in soil near associated trees. Often dug up by animals.

Truffle-like fungi - M

Truffle-like, sequestrate, hypogeous fungi are found on leaf litter or in soil near associated trees. Often dug up by animals.

Tooth Fungi - S

Fungi with spines/teeth are found on wood. Example: Beenakia dacostae

Jelly fungi like this Tremella sp. are found on wood.

Jellies - S

Jelly fungi like this Tremella sp. are found on wood.

Rust fungi are also known as resupinate fungi and are found on wood.

Rusts - S

Rust fungi are also known as resupinate fungi and are found on wood.

Found on soil and wood. Example: Gaestrum sp.

Earth Stars/Puffs - S

Found on soil and wood. Example: Gaestrum sp.

Found on soil as an egg-like sac which expands.

Stinkhorns - S

Found on soil as an egg-like sac which expands. Example: Clathrus

Found on rotting wood and leaf litter.

Bird’s Nests - S

Found on rotting wood and leaf litter. Relies on rain to spread spores.

Polypores have pores under the cap and are found on wood.

Polypores - S

Polypores have pores under the cap and are found on wood.

A variety of gilled fungi are found to grow on herbivore dung.

Gilled Dung Fungi - S

A variety of gilled fungi are found to grow on herbivore dung.

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