Fungi and Other Lower Plant Biosynthetic Products

Abstract

The ubiquitous lower plants commonly known as mildews, molds, mushrooms, puffballs, rusts, and smuts are members of the fungi group and represent exceedingly large numbers of different species. By definition, the fungi lack chlorophyll and have a threadlike plant body or mycelium. Consequently the fungi are dependent upon other living organisms for food, and some, such as the mushrooms and puffballs, form a compact mycelium of substantial size. Three great classes of fungi are recognized, namely, the Ascomycetes, the Basidiomycetes, and the Phycomycetes. The Fungi imperfecti do not represent a homogeneous class but rather a large number of species that have lost their ability of sexual reproduction.