302 A TEXTBOOK OF GENERAL BOTANY 
it lines flask-shaped cavities (Fig. 364). Among the conspicuous 
Ascomycetes are the edible morel (Morchella) (Fig 


sal 

se 

- 
Fie. 866. Fruit bodies of Lacinea and Peziza 
cup-shaped forms such as Peziza and Lachnea (Figs. 363, 366). 
Black, charcoal-like forms are also common (Fig. 367). The edible 



an a Fear) 
ay SSP 
Zs IP yee iN ING 
Wi 











SO A 


ane 
aS 




SS 4 
SS 
WS SS > + 
- & ee 4 ie 
es ¥ Ae acy ¥ 
ONArthomeet a 
5 ’ 
PR oe 
we SO eS 
Fig. 367. Xylaria, an ascomycete 
Left, a whole fruit body (x 1). Center, combined cross 
section and surface views of a portion of a fruit body, 
showing perithecia (x 12). Right, section of a perithe- 
cium showing hymenium; note asci in hymenium (x 65) 
truffles (Fig. 365) 
are tuberous Asco- 
mycetes which grow 
underground. Many 
of the Ascomycetes 
are parasitic, and a 
large number of de- 
structive plant di- 
Seases are produced 
by them (Figs. 364, 
368). The yeast 
plant, considered in 
the next paragraph, 
is regarded as an 
ascomycete. 
Saccharomyces. The 
genus Saccharomy- 
ces contains a num- 
ber of species which 
convert sugar into 
alcohol. This proc- 
ess Is the basis of the 
commercial manu- 
facture of aleohol 
and alcoholic drinks. 
. 8369) and the 
= 
