Clavicipitaceae

Clavicipitaceae is a family of fungi within the order Hypocreales. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of multigene DNA sequence data indicates that the taxon, Clavicipitaceae, consists of several clades, at least one of which is shared with members of another fungal family (Hypocreaceae). The evolution within the Clavicipitaceae is marked by interkingdom host jumping, and the range of this large and heterogeneous fungal group spans mutualistic plant symbionts as well as parasites of plants, insects, and other fungi.

Many of its members produce alkaloids toxic to animals and humans. One of its most infamous species is Claviceps purpurea, which has historical significance as the cause of St. Anthony's Fire, also known as ergotism. Ergotism is caused by ergot alkaloids, such as ergotamine and ergocristine, which are chemical derivatives of lysergic acid.

The following genera belong to the Clavicipitaceae:

Teleomorphic genera (having a known sexual cycle)


 * Aciculosporium
 * Ascopolyporus
 * Atkinsonella
 * Balansia
 * Berkelella
 * Claviceps
 * Cordycepioideus
 * Cordyceps
 * Dussiella
 * Epichloë
 * Heteroepichloe
 * Hyperdermium
 * Hypocrella
 * Myriogenospora
 * Neobarya
 * Neoclaviceps
 * Parepichloe
 * Phytocordyceps
 * Podocrella
 * Regiocrella
 * Torrubiella

Anamorphic genera (having no known sexual cycle):


 * Akanthomyces
 * Aschersonia
 * Beauveria
 * Chaunopycnis
 * Corallocytostroma
 * Culicinomyces
 * Drechmeria
 * Ephelis
 * Gibellula
 * Haptocillium
 * Harposporium
 * Hirsutella
 * Hymenostilbe
 * Isaria
 * Lecanicillium
 * Mariannaea
 * Metarhizium
 * Microhilum
 * Neomunkia
 * Neotyphodium
 * Nomuraea
 * Paecilomyces
 * Pochonia
 * Polycephalomyces
 * Pseudogibellula
 * Simplicillium
 * Sorosporella
 * Tolypocladium
 * Ustilaginoidea