Stigmatocarpus

Stigmatocarpus is a genus of fungi belonging to the family Strophariaceae. These mushrooms are saprotrophic, meaning they derive nutrients from dead organic matter. They are typically found in forest ecosystems, often growing on decaying wood or leaf litter. The genus was described in 1988 by mycologists R. Singer and J. Smith.

The fruiting bodies of Stigmatocarpus species generally have a gilled structure. The cap shape can vary, often being convex to broadly convex, and the gills are usually adnate or decurrent. The spore color is typically brown. Identification of Stigmatocarpus species can be challenging and often requires microscopic examination of spores and other morphological features.

While some species within Stigmatocarpus are known, the genus is not as widely studied or recognized as some other fungal genera. Research on their ecological roles and distribution is ongoing. Their exact taxonomic placement within the Strophariaceae family has been subject to refinement with advances in molecular phylogenetic studies. Limited information is available regarding their edibility or potential medicinal properties. Further research is needed to fully understand the diversity and characteristics of this fungal genus.