Phonetic: Py-though-my-sees

Pithomyces is found growing on decaying plants, especially grasses, soil, and wood in tropical areas, it is rare in cold climates. It may grow on paper but is not prolific indoors. This fungus has demonstrated allergenic activity; it is also considered an etiologic agent in immunocompromised patients. The most common saprophytic species, P. chartarum produces a mycotoxin called sporidesmin (a piperazinedione) known to be pathogenic in animals causing liver damage and facial eczema, a condition of severe dermatitis in cattle, sheep, and goats. Pithomyces can be found on dead vegetative material in pastures, especially ryegrass. It favors warm, wet, humid weather, heavy dews, or irrigation. Spores are produced at the apex of short side branches of vegetative filaments, they are dark brown, and two to several celled. P. chartarum spores have both longitudinal and transverse septa. Culture - Potato dextrose agar or Malt extract agar, 20° – 25°C, 7 – 10 days.