Discinaceae - Дисциновые - False Morels - Schein-Morchelverwandte 9/25/09—5/3/20
The Discinaceae family, also known as False Morels or Schein-Morchelverwandte in German, belongs to the Ascomycota phylum of fungi. This family comprises several genera, including Gyromitra, Discina, and Hydnotrya. The members of Discinaceae are mostly characterized by their distinctive, irregularly shaped, and often brain-like or convoluted cap appearance.
Species in the Discinaceae family are typically found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Europe, Asia, and North America. They usually grow in various forest habitats, forming mycorrhizal associations with trees such as conifers and broadleaf species.
The fruiting bodies of Discinaceae fungi can appear in spring or autumn, depending on the species and environmental conditions. Some species, like Gyromitra esculenta, are known to fruit after snowmelt in early spring.
The caps of Discinaceae mushrooms can vary greatly in size, shape, and color, ranging from small, cup-shaped structures to large, convoluted masses. The colors can also vary from brown, reddish-brown, or yellowish-brown.
While some species in the Discinaceae family are considered edible and even prized in certain regions, others are known to be toxic. For example, Gyromitra esculenta contains the toxin gyromitrin, which can be lethal if ingested in large quantities.
Spore-producing structures in Discinaceae fungi are called asci, which are typically cylindrical or club-shaped. The spores themselves are usually hyaline, smooth, and ellipsoid, measuring between 15-30 x 5-10 micrometers, depending on the species.
The microscopic structure of Discinaceae fungi is characterized by the presence of paraphyses, which are sterile, elongated cells interspersed among the asci. These paraphyses can be branched or unbranched, septate or aseptate, and may contain pigments.
Research on the ecology and biology of Discinaceae fungi is still ongoing, and new species are occasionally discovered. In recent years, molecular phylogenetic studies have helped refine the classification of these fungi and shed light on their evolutionary relationships.
In addition to their ecological roles as mycorrhizal partners and decomposers, some species in the Discinaceae family have been investigated for their potential medicinal properties. For example, certain compounds isolated from Gyromitra species have shown cytotoxic activity against cancer cells.
It is important to exercise caution when foraging for mushrooms in the Discinaceae family, as some species can be easily confused with the true morels (Morchella spp.), which are highly prized edible fungi. False morels can be distinguished by their irregularly shaped, convoluted caps, and the absence of a honeycomb-like pattern found in true morels.
