Pyroxeinos

Pyroxeinos is a genus of fungi in the family Sclerodermataceae. The genus was described in 2005 by mycologists Marco Gerdemann and Harold H. Burdsall. The type species of the genus is Pyroxeinos carbonarius. This species is known from North America and is often found growing on burned wood. The common name for Pyroxeinos carbonarius is the charcoal puffball.

The basidiocarps of Pyroxeinos species are small to medium-sized, typically globose to subglobose, and arise from a thick, dark stipe. The peridium is tough and leathery, and it dehisces irregularly to reveal the gleba. The gleba is powdery at maturity and contains numerous brown to black basidiospores. The spores are globose to subglobose and verrucose.

Pyroxeinos species are saprobic, meaning they obtain nutrients from dead organic matter. Pyroxeinos carbonarius is specifically associated with coniferous wood that has been subjected to fire. The relationship between Pyroxeinos and fire is not fully understood, but it is thought that the heat from the fire may stimulate spore germination.

The phylogenetic placement of Pyroxeinos within Sclerodermataceae is supported by morphological and molecular data. It is considered a distinct genus due to unique morphological characteristics and its ecological association with fire-affected substrates. Further research may reveal additional species within this genus and shed more light on their ecological roles.