Gloniaceae

Gloniaceae is a family of fungi in the order Gloniales. This family includes a single genus, Glonium. Fungi in Gloniaceae are characterized by their lignicolous habit, meaning they grow on wood. They typically produce small, dark, leathery fruiting bodies called apothecia, which are often cup-shaped or disc-shaped. The spores are generally hyaline or lightly pigmented and elongated. Historically, Glonium species were often placed in other orders, such as Helotiales, due to their ascocarp morphology. However, molecular phylogenetic studies have supported their placement in the order Gloniales, a group closely related to the Sordariomycetes. The life cycles of these fungi are not extensively studied, but like many ascomycetes, they likely involve both sexual and asexual reproduction. Their ecological role is primarily that of wood decomposers, contributing to nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Several species have been described within the genus Glonium, though the exact taxonomic status and delimitations of some species remain subject to ongoing research.