Siderosphaeria

Siderosphaeria is a genus of fungi belonging to the Sordariomycetes class. These fungi are primarily known for their parasitic or saprobic lifestyles, often associated with woody plants. The genus was first described in 1903 by Pier Andrea Saccardo.

The characteristic feature of Siderosphaeria is the presence of ostiolate perithecia, which are typically black, globose to subglobose, and embedded in the host tissue or stromata. These perithecia contain asci, which are cylindrical and contain ascospores. The ascospores are usually hyaline to brown, and can be unicellular or multicellular, often with a gelatinous sheath. The teleomorphic state, characterized by the production of ascospores, is the defining feature of the genus, though anamorphic (asexual) states may also be observed.

Species within Siderosphaeria are found in temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Their host range can be diverse, often involving trees and shrubs from various botanical families. They are typically found on dead or decaying wood, or as parasites on living plant tissues, sometimes contributing to cankers or dieback symptoms. The ecological role of Siderosphaeria is generally considered to be that of decomposers or plant pathogens. Identification of Siderosphaeria species relies on morphological characteristics of the perithecia, asci, and ascospores, as well as molecular data in modern mycological studies. Research continues to explore the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of fungi within this genus.