Steriloivia

Steriloivia is a genus of fungi in the family Agaricaceae. It was circumscribed by mycologist Rolf Singer in 1986 to accommodate species of agarics with a sterile layer of tissue (the pileipellis) that is composed of hyphae with clamp connections. This genus is characterized by its distinctive, often brightly colored mushrooms that grow in various habitats, including forests, grasslands, and even urban areas. The genus includes several species, some of which are known for their edibility and others for their potential toxicity. Steriloivia species typically have a cap (pileus) that is convex to convex-spreading, and a gill surface (lamellae) that is adnate to adnexed. The spores are smooth, ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid, and measure 6-9 by 4-6 micrometers. The genus Steriloivia is a useful tool for mycologists in identifying agarics with clamp connections in the pileipellis, and it continues to be a subject of ongoing research and study.