Stereum
Encyclopedia
Stereum is type genus
of the Stereaceae
family
of fungi, in the Russulales
order
. Until recently, the genus was classified in the Corticiaceae
family, of the Corticiales
order. However, it was given its own family as a result of the split-up of the Corticiales. Common name
s for species of this genus include leaf fungus, wax fungus, and shelf fungus. Fungi having a shape similar to a Stereum are said to have a stereoid shape ( which should not be confused with the word steroid
). Stereum contains 27 species that have a widespread distribution.
s but no ornament, i.e. gills, of any kind. Like most members in the family, Stereums lack clamp connection
and have amyloid
spores.
The species can be divided into 2 groups: the bleeders (those that exude a red liquid at cut surfaces, similarly to Lactarius
species) and the non-bleeders (those that do not). Several authors even create a distinct genus for the bleeding species of Stereum: Haematostereum.
.
Type genus
In biological classification, a type genus is a representative genus, as with regard to a biological family. The term and concept is used much more often and much more formally in zoology than it is in botany, and the definition is dependent on the nomenclatural Code that applies:* In zoological...
of the Stereaceae
Stereaceae
The Stereaceae are a family of corticioid fungi in the Russulales order. Species in the family have a widespread distribution, are lignicolous or terrestrial , and typically saprobic. According to the Dictionary of the Fungi , the family contains 22 genera and 125 species.-Genera...
family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
of fungi, in the Russulales
Russulales
The Russulales are an order of the Agaricomycetes,...
order
Order (biology)
In scientific classification used in biology, the order is# a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, family, genus, and species, with order fitting in between class and family...
. Until recently, the genus was classified in the Corticiaceae
Corticiaceae
The Corticiaceae are a family of fungi in the order Corticiales. The family formerly included almost all the corticioid fungi, whether they were related or not, and as such was highly artificial...
family, of the Corticiales
Corticiales
The Corticiales are an order of fungi in the class Agaricomycetes. The order is mostly composed of corticioid fungi, but also includes one anomalous agaricoid species, Marchandiomphalina foliacea. Species within the order are generally saprotrophic, most of them wood-rotters, but several are...
order. However, it was given its own family as a result of the split-up of the Corticiales. Common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
s for species of this genus include leaf fungus, wax fungus, and shelf fungus. Fungi having a shape similar to a Stereum are said to have a stereoid shape ( which should not be confused with the word steroid
Steroid
A steroid is a type of organic compound that contains a characteristic arrangement of four cycloalkane rings that are joined to each other. Examples of steroids include the dietary fat cholesterol, the sex hormones estradiol and testosterone, and the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone.The core...
). Stereum contains 27 species that have a widespread distribution.
Habitat
Stereum species are found to live on all kinds of deadwood or hardwood or dead leaves (they are therefore said to be saprobic). Sometimes they are also found on living leaves.Characteristics
Stereum species are wood decay fungi that do not have tubes. They are simply small bracket-shaped membranes appearing on dead wood. The underside of the membrane contains sporeSpore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
s but no ornament, i.e. gills, of any kind. Like most members in the family, Stereums lack clamp connection
Clamp connection
A clamp connection is a structure formed by growing hyphal cells of certain fungi. It is created to ensure each septum, or segment of hypha separated by crossed walls, receives a set of differing nuclei, which are obtained through mating of hyphae of differing sexual types...
and have amyloid
Amyloid
Amyloids are insoluble fibrous protein aggregates sharing specific structural traits. Abnormal accumulation of amyloid in organs may lead to amyloidosis, and may play a role in various neurodegenerative diseases.-Definition:...
spores.
The species can be divided into 2 groups: the bleeders (those that exude a red liquid at cut surfaces, similarly to Lactarius
Lactarius
Lactarius is a genus of mushroom-producing fungi. The genus, collectively known commonly as milk-caps, are characterized by the fact that they exude a milky fluid if cut or damaged...
species) and the non-bleeders (those that do not). Several authors even create a distinct genus for the bleeding species of Stereum: Haematostereum.
Species
There are numerous species in this genus (and family), the commonest one being by far Stereum hirsutumStereum hirsutum
Stereum hirsutum is a plant pathogen. S. hirsutum is in turn parasitised by certain other species such as the fungus Tremella aurantia. Substrates for S. hirsutum include dead limbs and trunks of both hardwoods and conifers.-References:...
.
- Stereum complicatum
- Stereum gausapatum
- Stereum hirsutumStereum hirsutumStereum hirsutum is a plant pathogen. S. hirsutum is in turn parasitised by certain other species such as the fungus Tremella aurantia. Substrates for S. hirsutum include dead limbs and trunks of both hardwoods and conifers.-References:...
- Stereum insignitum -- may be considered a synonym of Stereum subtomentosum
- Stereum ostreaStereum ostreaStereum ostrea , also called False Turkey-tail and Golden Curtain Crust, is a plant pathogen and a wood decay fungi, native to North America.-Physical description:...
-- False turkey tail. Sometimes considered a variety of *Stereum hirsutumStereum hirsutumStereum hirsutum is a plant pathogen. S. hirsutum is in turn parasitised by certain other species such as the fungus Tremella aurantia. Substrates for S. hirsutum include dead limbs and trunks of both hardwoods and conifers.-References:...
. - Stereum papyrinum -- Preferred name: Lopharia papyrina
- Stereum purpureum -- Silver leaf fungus. Preferred name: Chondrostereum purpureumChondrostereum purpureumSilver leaf is a fungal disease of trees caused by the fungus plant pathogen Chondrostereum purpureum. It attacks most species of the rose family Rosaceae, particularly the genus Prunus. The disease is progressive and often fatal. The common name is taken from the progressive silvering of leaves on...
- Stereum sanguinolentumStereum sanguinolentumStereum sanguinolentum is a species of fungus in the Stereaceae family. A plant pathogen, it causes red heart rot, a red discoloration on conifers, particularly spruce. Fruit bodies are produced on dead wood, or sometimes on dead branches of living trees. They are a thin leathery crust of the wood...
- Stereum subtomentosum
- Stereum taxodii -- Preferred name: Laurilia taxodii
External links
- Stereum at Index FungorumIndex FungorumIndex Fungorum, an international project to index all formal names in the Fungi Kingdom. Somewhat comparable to the IPNI, but with more contributing institutions....