Begoiviaceae

Begoiviaceae is a family of fungi within the order Agaricales. This family is characterized by its gasteroid or puffball-like fruiting bodies, meaning the spores are produced internally and released through a pore or apical opening. The basidiocarps are typically terrestrial and range in size from small to medium. Microscopic examination reveals that the spores are often smooth and hyaline to brownish.

The family Begoiviaceae was established to accommodate certain puffball-forming fungi that did not fit neatly into existing families. Phylogenetic studies, based on molecular data, have been crucial in defining the boundaries of this family and its relationship to other agaricoid fungi. While the exact number of genera and species within Begoiviaceae can vary as taxonomic research progresses, it is considered a relatively small family. Members of Begoiviaceae are found in various terrestrial habitats, often in soil or on decaying organic matter, and their ecological roles are generally related to decomposition. Further research is ongoing to fully understand the diversity and evolutionary history of this fungal group.