Microtyphula

Microtyphula is a genus of fungi belonging to the order Sclerotiniaceae. These fungi are typically small and can be found on various plant substrates, often in damp environments. The genus was first described by French mycologist Émile Boudier in 1907. Species within Microtyphula are characterized by their small, often microscopic, fruiting bodies, known as apothecia. These apothecia are usually cup-shaped or discoid and can be ephemeral. The mycelium, the vegetative part of the fungus, is often inconspicuous. Reproductive structures, such as spores, are produced within the apothecia and are dispersed by wind or water. Microtyphula species are saprotrophic, meaning they obtain nutrients from dead organic matter, playing a role in decomposition. Some species may be associated with specific plant hosts, contributing to nutrient cycling in their respective ecosystems. Research on Microtyphula is ongoing to better understand their ecological roles and phylogenetic relationships within the Sclerotiniaceae. Identification of Microtyphula species often relies on microscopic examination of their reproductive structures and spore morphology.