3 o 4 TEXT-BOOK OF FUNGI 



Distribution. Chile, Patagonia, Tasmania, and New 

 Zealand. 



Helvelleae 



Ascophore distinctly stipitate, often large; clavate, 

 conical or subglobose, solid or hollow, sometimes thin 

 and irregularly wavy. Hymenial surface honeycomb-like, 

 brain-like folds, or quite even. Differs from Cyttarieae in 

 having a distinct, elongated stem, and from the stipitate 

 Pezizae in the ascophore not being cup-shaped. 



All are saprophytes, mostly growing on the ground, some 

 occur on decayed wood and branches. Spathularia and 

 Mitrula grow on masses of dead leaves in swampy places, 

 and Vibrissea is truly aquatic. 



Most abundant in temperate regions. 



Pezizeae 



Ascophore typically cup-shaped, sometimes becoming 

 almost plane, or even convex, hymenial surface even; 

 sessile or with a distinct, short, or elongated stem. Disc 

 often brightly coloured, due to colouring matter present 

 in the tips of the paraphyses. Variable in size, some 

 exceeding 10 cm. in diameter, others almost microscopic. 

 Many are saprophytic on decaying vegetable matter, others 

 are destructive parasites. Many species produce sclerotia. 



Abundant in all countries. 



Ascoboleae 



The majority of species are minute, some exceedingly 

 so, resembling a minute globule of semi-liquid jelly when 

 seen under a pocket-lens. All species are sessile. In 

 some genera the spores are beautifully coloured, often 



