CLAVARIACEAE 



34S 



species as occurring in North America. In the account of Over- 

 holts (1939) 27 species are recognized in Pennsylvania. Certain 

 of them, notably Stereiim gaiisapatiim, cause decay of oak-sprout 

 growth, especially if the sprouts arise high on the stumps. On 

 oaks and other hardwoods 5. piistulosiim produces a wide-spread 

 white pocket rot. 



Clavariaceae 



The Clavariaceae, or coral fungi, comprise 8 or more genera 

 and approximately 500 species. Nearly all are saprophilous, oc- 



FiG. 131. Oidial production by Coprimis lagopiis. A. Diagram showing 

 48-hour-old haploid mycelium on the surface of dung agar, with short 

 lateral oidial fructifications. B. Single oidiophore with an excreted drop of 

 liquid at its apex. C. Oidia held together at apex of oidiophore in a drop 

 of Hquid. D. When oidiophore is immersed in film of water, the oidia are 



dispersed. (Adapted from Brodie.) 



curring on the leaf mold of the forest floor, some few are quite 

 surely mvcorrhizal, and a few are pathogenic. Their fructifica- 

 tions are fleshy, cartilaginous, gelatinous, or, rarely, leather)'; 

 they range from clavate to much-branched and coralloid. Some 



