geophilum
Geophilum is a genus of fungi that forms ectomycorrhizal associations with a wide range of trees, including many hardwoods and conifers. The fruiting bodies are typically hypogeous (underground) or only partly emergent, small, and dark in color. They often have a tough, crust-like outer surface and a compact interior; many species produce sclerotium-like structures that persist in soil, which helps the organism survive adverse conditions. Because fruit bodies are subterranean, identification relies largely on microscopic features of spores and on DNA data rather than macroscopic traits.
Ecology and distribution: Geophilum has a cosmopolitan distribution, common in temperate and boreal forests. As an
Taxonomy and species: The genus includes numerous described species, many of which are cryptic and difficult
Human relevance: There is no known direct edible use for Geophilum. The fungi are primarily of interest