Sub division Ascomycotina
Class Discomycetes
Order Pezizales
Pezizales are known as cup fungi . All cup fungi show degeneration of sexuality . Asexual repdroduction is uncommon or absent . In Peziza and Morchella sex organs do not develop at all . They reproduce by somatogamy ( between nuclei of two cells ) or by autogamous pairing ( between nuclei of same cell ) . It results in formation of a dikaryon . Dikaryon cell gives rise ascogenous hyphae which ultimately form ascus . Fruiting body in Pezizales is apothecia .
Peziza ( Family Pezizaceae )
Mycelium is branched , septate with uninucleate cells within the sustrarum but apothecia are above the substratum . They are saprophytic fungus and found on rotting logs , bark of trees , humus rich soil etc . Some species are coprophilous . Apothecia has hymenium , sub hymenium and excipulum regions . Excipulum is outermost sterile region . Hymenium is innermost , palisade like layer of asci and paraphysis .
Morchella ( Family Morchellaceae )
Morchella is comonly called true morel , sponge mushroom or guchhi . Common species is Marchella esculenta . It is most highly prized edible fungus . It is a saprophytic fungus . It occurs mainly on humus rich soil , dead leaves and branches . It is a hollow structure made up of pileus and stalk like stipe . Mycelium is branched , septate and multinucleate . Apothecia has hymenium , sub hymenium and trama regions . Hymenium is confined only to the grooves of fertile pileus . Hymenium is innermost , palisade like layer of asci and paraphysis . During dikaryon formation remaining nuclei degenerate .