DISCUSSION OF THE HYPOCREOMYCETIDAE

Most Hypocreomycetidae have relatively simple asci with poorly developed apical structures. The hamathecium varies within the subclass but is never of paraphyses. They have ascospores that are one- to many celled and that lack really dark colours. Many produce brightly coloured perithecial or stromatal tissues. Even the asexual stages may be brightly coloured. Beyond these generalizations it is difficult to characterize this subclass; it is a very diverse group showing more variation in all features than are seen in the Xylariomycetidae or Sordariomycetidae.

As an overall rule-of-thumb, start here if you have a pyrenomycete with brightly-coloured perithecia or stromata. If the perithecia are dark in colour but ascospores are colorless or brightly-coloured or the asexual stage is brightly coloured you may also have one of the Hypocreomycetidae.