Pleatuaceae

Pleatuaceae is not a name currently recognized in major fungal taxonomic databases. It is likely a misspelling or mistaken reference to Pleurotaceae, a well-established family of mushroom-forming fungi within the order Agaricales.

Pleurotaceae is placed in the class Agaricomycetes, division Basidiomycota. The family includes species that produce fleshy fruiting bodies with gills that are typically decurrent, and many members form cap shapes that are fan- or oyster-like. The most economically important genus in the group is Pleurotus, which includes species such as Pleurotus ostreatus, the oyster mushroom, cultivated worldwide for food.

Ecologically, Pleurotaceae species are mainly saprotrophic, growing on dead wood and other plant debris, though some can occur on living trees in certain contexts. They are found in a wide range of habitats and climates, with a global distribution in temperate and tropical regions. The group is notable for rapid growth and, in cultivated forms, significant yields.

Economic and practical significance centers on edible cultivation, with Pleurotus ostreatus and related species widely grown for food. These mushrooms are valued for flavor, texture, and nutritional content, and some species are studied for their enzymatic capabilities, including lignin degradation and potential applications in bioremediation.

Nomenclature and classification notes: Pleatuaceae is not recognized; pleurotaceous mushrooms belong to Pleurotaceae. Molecular studies have helped clarify internal relationships within Pleurotaceae and its placement among Agaricales. See also Pleurotus, oyster mushrooms, and Agaricales.