Ascomycetes

Sac Fungi

Ascomycetes (sac fungi) produce spores in sac-like structures called asci, each ascus containing eight spores. In this group the disc fungi (Discomycetes) bear their asci on the surface of fruiting bodies often shaped like cups and the flask fungi Pyrenomycetes have asci enclosed in flask-shaped perithecia. The much prized truffles are disc fungi and some well-known plant parasites such as Dutch Elm Disease Fungus and Ergot are flask fungi. Yeasts are Sac Fungi too. [CH] {AU}