Contents
Description
Acrocladium is a genus of fungi that primarily grows on decaying plant matter. It was first described by Heinrich Adolf Schrader in 1882. Acrocladium is a saprobic fungus, meaning it obtains nutrients from dead organic matter. It is commonly found in moist environments, such as on rotting wood, bark, and leaves.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Fungi |
| Phylum | Ascomycota |
| Class | Dothideomycetes |
| Order | Botryosphaeriales |
| Family | Botryosphaeriaceae |
| Genus | Acrocladium |
Appearance
Acrocladium appears as a white or grayish-white growth on decaying plant matter. It forms small, cushion-like colonies that can range in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. The fruiting bodies of Acrocladium are called perithecia, which are small, black, and spherical structures that contain the fungal spores. The spores are typically ellipsoid or oblong, measuring between 4-7 µm in length.
Care Guide
Acrocladium is a saprobic fungus and does not require any care. It grows naturally on decaying plant matter and does not need any fertilization or watering. It prefers to grow in moist environments, so it is important to keep the area where it is growing relatively humid. Acrocladium can grow in a wide range of soil types, but it prefers organic-rich soils. It can tolerate both full sun and partial shade. Acrocladium is hardy in USDA zones 7-11.
Common Pests & Diseases
Acrocladium is not known to be affected by any pests or diseases.
Habitat
Acrocladium is commonly found in moist environments, such as on rotting wood, bark, and leaves. It can also be found in other decaying plant matter, such as compost piles and on dead plant roots. Acrocladium is found in many parts of the world, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Acrocladium harmful to humans?
A: No, Acrocladium is not harmful to humans.
Q: Can Acrocladium grow indoors?
A: Yes, Acrocladium can grow indoors on decaying plant matter.
Q: How can I control Acrocladium growth?
A: Acrocladium does not require any control measures as it is a naturally occurring fungus that does not harm plants or humans.
Q: How long does Acrocladium take to grow?
A: Acrocladium can grow rapidly under ideal conditions, but the growth rate varies depending on the environment and the quality of the decaying plant matter.
Related Plants
- Botryosphaeria
- Dothiorella
- Phaeobotryosphaeria
- Phaeoacremonium
- Lasiodiplodia
References
- Crous PW, Groenewald JZ, Lombard L, Wingfield MJ. 2012. The Genera of Fungi – G3: Aleuria, Blasturia, Calycellina, Cyathicula, Discocainia, Entonaema, Hypoxylon, Mollisia, Phyllachora, Proxiphora, Rosellinia, Ruhlandiella and Thamnomyces. CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Hawksworth DL, Kirk PM, Sutton BC, Pegler DN. 1995. Ainsworth & Bisby’s Dictionary of the Fungi. 8th ed. CAB International, Wallingford, UK.
- Index Fungorum. Acrocladium. http://www.indexfungorum.org/names/names.asp (accessed June 2021)
