Discomycetes

(mycology) A group of fungi in the class Ascomycetes in which the surface of the fruiting body is exposed during maturation of the spores.

A class in the phylum Ascomycota, commonly known as cup fungi. They form a well-developed mycelium which bears the sexual (ascus) and asexual (conidium) states. The ascocarp (apothecium) is generally cup or saucer shaped. In general, the asci are exposed when they mature, except in one group (truffles) that forms the ascocarps underground (hypogeous ascocarps). The ascocarp arises as coiled or intertwined initials that can be distinguished as male (antheridium) and female (ascogonium) in some species. Layers of hyphae develop around these initials to form the tissue of the ascocarp. As this development occurs, the initial coil forms a system of ascogenous hyphae that transform into asci. The asci form in a broad layer (hymenium) on the apothecium. They have a single rigid wall (unitunicate), with two basic types of apex, operculate and inoperculate. Operculate asci have a hinged cap (operculum) at the tip that opens to allow discharge of ascospores. In inoperculate asci, the apex has a pore or a small slit through which the spores are discharged. In most species, ascospores are forcibly discharged. Their shape is variable, but they are usually one celled and hyaline.

The Discomycetes occur on soil and on living and dead plants, either as saprobes or as parasites. The operculate discomycetes includes the largest of all ascomycetes: the edible morels (Morchella), prized for their flavor; those with large, showy red or orange apothecia (Cookeina, Sarcoscypha, Scutellinia); and truffles (Tuber). Among the inoperculate Discomycetes are numerous plant pathogens, such as Monilinia fructicola (brown rot of peach), which forms small, brown, cup-shaped ascocarps with long stalks, and the needle cast fungus (Lophodermium pinastri), which forms narrow, elongate ascocarps that open by a slit on pine needles. See also Ascomycota; Eumycota; Fungi.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a large and taxonomically difficult group of Ascomycetes in which the fleshy fruiting body is disklike or cup-shaped
  Synonym: subclass Discomycetes

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