rothschildi

Rothschildi is a genus of fungi belonging to the family Helotiaceae. These fungi are typically small and cup-shaped, with a bright yellow to orange coloration. They are saprobic, meaning they obtain nutrients from dead organic matter, and are often found growing on decaying wood, leaf litter, and other plant debris. The genus was described by Finnish mycologist Petter Adolf Karsten in 1871.

Species within the genus Rothschildi are characterized by their often ephemeral fruiting bodies, which can be short-lived and easily overlooked. The hymenium, the spore-bearing surface, lines the inner surface of the cup. Microscopically, they exhibit hyaline (clear) to slightly colored spores, often elliptical or fusiform in shape. The exact taxonomic placement of some species has been subject to revision with the advent of molecular phylogenetic studies, but the genus generally remains within the Leotiomycetes.

Rothschildi fungi play a role in decomposition within forest ecosystems. While not typically of significant economic importance, their presence contributes to nutrient cycling. Identification of Rothschildi species often requires examination of microscopic features in addition to macroscopic characteristics. They are found in various temperate and boreal regions worldwide.