Sparassidaceae

The Sparassidaceae are a family of fungi in the order Polyporales. The family was circumscribed by German botanist Wilhelm Gustav [Franz Herter|Wilhelm Herter] in 1910 to contain the genus Sparassis. Sparassiella was added to the family in 1964., Index Fungorum accepts 10 species in the Sparassidaceae.

Description

The fruit bodies of Sparassidaceae fungi consist of branched, fan-shaped segments that originate from a central core. The hyphal system is monomitic, with gloeoplerous hyphae. These hyphae have scattered clamp connections. The spores are smooth, thin- to somewhat thick-walled, and hyaline. Cystidia are mostly absent from the hymenium. Sparassidaceae fungi cause brown rot.