PezWeb A Web site dedicated to the study of the Pezizales

The group of fungi known as the morels, truffles, and related cup-fungi Pezizales is represented by approximately 400 species in western North America. Depending on the species they may:

• Have world wide to narrowly endemic distribution patterns
• Have nearly microscopic to sizeable (to 1.5 ft. tall) fruiting bodies
• Have brightly to dully colored fruiting bodies
• Be edible to poisonous, of unreported edibility or be unsuited for eating
• Exhibit varied modes of nutrition from saprophytic, to parasitic, to mycorrhizal with many as yet unstudied

PezWeb provides several strands of information on Pezizales, especially those of western North America:

• Major Parts of a fruiting body
• Pezizales in relation to other fungi: Features of the Pezizales
• Characters used to identify specimens to genus
• The Genus-Finder, an interactive key to selected genera
• Preliminary Checklist of the Pezizales of Western North America
• Bibliography and suggested references
• Glossary of terms (in preparation)

Those just starting to learn about these fungi are encouraged to read about the Parts of a fruiting body and the Features of the Pezizales. Before using the Genus-Finder, an interactive synoptic key to genera, consult the section on Characters used and their utility in making identifications. Directions for using the Genus-Finder are discussed in the Genus-Finder section. A preliminary checklist, a bibliography, and a glossary are (or will be) presented in separate sections.

PezWeb is one product of research on the "Epigeous and Hypogeous Pezizales of Western North America" initiated by N.S. Weber, J.M. Trappe, and W.C. Denison and supported by the National Science Foundation through DEB 9007186 and DEB 9400545. The data was assembled and the Genus-Finder constructed by N.S. Weber with assistance from Laura Wilson and Jim Trappe; Eric T. Peterson transformed the Paradox version of the Genus-Finder to Sybase with assistance from Joe Hanus; The database is made available via HyperSQL tools developed by Joe Hanus and Mark Newsome (Dept. of Computer Science, Oregon State University)

PezWeb is under construction, we welcome your comments and corrections.
Please send them to: PezWeb comments (webern@ccmail.orst.edu)

Thursday, September 11, 1997