Helotiales

Helotiales is an order of the Class Leotiomycetes within the Phylum Ascomycota.

Helotiales is the largest order of inoperculate discomycetes.

It contains the famous blue-green cup fungi that makes its home on oaks is known by the genus name Chlorociboria.

Habit

 * Helotiales is distinguished by its disc or cup-shaped apothecia.


 * Its asci are only slightly thickened in contrast to other leotiomycetes


 * Most helotiales live as saprobes on soil humus, dead logs, manure, and other organic matter.


 * Contains some of the worst plant pathogens such as Monilinia fructicola (Brown rot on stone fruits), Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lettuce drop and other diseases), D. rosae (black spot of roses), Sclerotium cepivorum (Soft rot of onions)