3.6: Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)

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A small mushroom with weird projections from the sides — Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): A small sampling of the amazing morphological diversity within phylum Basidiomycota. These fungi are all from the Agaricomycotina, only one of three major subdivisions within Basidiomycota. Photos from top left to bottom right: The tiny, branching fruiting bodies of *Dendrocollybia racemosa* photographed by Christian Schwarz, CC-BY-NC; the vibrantly red star-shaped *Asteroe rubra* photographed by Noah Siegel, CC-BY-NC, UV fluorescence in *Cortinarius flavobasilis* photographed by Drew Parker, CC-BY-NC-SA, the enormous fruiting body of *Macrocybe titans* photographed by Danny Newman, CC-BY-NC-SA, and the cobalt blue velvety crust formed by *Terana coerulea* photographed by Korvidai, CC-BY-NC.

A red, star-shaped fungus spreading across the ground — Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): A small sampling of the amazing morphological diversity within phylum Basidiomycota. These fungi are all from the Agaricomycotina, only one of three major subdivisions within Basidiomycota. Photos from top left to bottom right: The tiny, branching fruiting bodies of *Dendrocollybia racemosa* photographed by Christian Schwarz, CC-BY-NC; the vibrantly red star-shaped *Asteroe rubra* photographed by Noah Siegel, CC-BY-NC, UV fluorescence in *Cortinarius flavobasilis* photographed by Drew Parker, CC-BY-NC-SA, the enormous fruiting body of *Macrocybe titans* photographed by Danny Newman, CC-BY-NC-SA, and the cobalt blue velvety crust formed by *Terana coerulea* photographed by Korvidai, CC-BY-NC.

3.6.1: Characteristics
Characteristics shared by members of the Basidiomycota.
3.6.2: Types of Basidiocarps
Basidiomycetes in the Agaricomycotina sexually reproduce within fruiting structures called basidiocarps. These can take many forms.
3.6.3: Life Cycles of Basidiomycetes
For each of the three major lineages of Basidiomycota, there is a different model life cycle. The common element between the three is that both karyogamy and meiosis take place within the basidium. There is often an extended dikaryotic stage.
3.6.4: Rusts and Smuts
Rusts and smuts are the other two lineages of Basidiomycota. These are primarily known as plant pathogens, but many smuts are also saprotrophs and/or commensal organisms.