Series: Gastromycetes
Hymenium don t expose when the
spores are mature. basidia are produced inside entirely closed, hollow
basidioma, so there would be no point in the spores being forcibly shot from
the basidium. The non-shooting nature of the basidium is apparent from
the symmetrical way in which the spores are mounted on the sterigmata.
Order Lycoperdales:
26 genera, 260 species. These are the common
and well-known puffballs and earthstars, with powdery glebas. Though most are
saprobic in soil and on rotten wood, some may be ectomycorrhizal. the glebal
cavities are lined by a hymenium when young. The mature spore mass is usually
khaki-coloured, and mixed with capillitial filaments. The peridium has two or
more layers, and usually develops an apical ostiole. The papery inner peridium
in
Lycoperdon
the best-known genus, can be
compressed by raindrops, expelling air and spores through the ostiole. Lycoperdon pyriforme is a common
species, and has pointed warts on the exoperidium.
Class Phragmobasidiomycetes:
all members of this group have basidia subdivided by septa.Auricularia
Order Auriculariales: