Underwoodia
Peck, 1890
Species Guides
1Underwoodia is a of ascomycete fungi in the Helvellaceae, described by Charles Horton Peck in 1890 to honor mycologist Lucien Marcus Underwood. The genus contains three with widespread distribution. Northern Hemisphere species (U. columnaris) occur in North America, while Southern Hemisphere species previously classified in Underwoodia have been reclassified to the resurrected genus Geomorium (family Geomoriaceae). Underwoodia species are ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with forest .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Underwoodia: //ˌʌndərˈwuːdiə//
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Habitat
Forested environments; specific details for Underwoodia other than U. columnaris are limited due to taxonomic reclassification of Southern Hemisphere material to Geomorium.
Distribution
Widespread; Northern Hemisphere: Northeastern and Midwestern USA and Canada (U. columnaris). Southern Hemisphere collections previously attributed to Underwoodia have been reassigned to Geomorium (Patagonia, Chile, Argentina, Australia).
Ecological Role
Ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi forming symbiotic associations with tree roots.
Similar Taxa
- GeomoriumSouthern Hemisphere previously classified in Underwoodia were reclassified to this resurrected based on molecular phylogenetic analysis; Geomorium species form a monophyletic lineage distinct from Northern Hemisphere Underwoodia columnaris, with divergence estimated at approximately 112 million years ago.
- GymnohydnotryaClosely related also reclassified into Geomoriaceae ; previously grouped with Underwoodia in systematic treatments but now recognized as distinct lineage.