Phonetic: Pipe-toe-see-fall-iss

This is a widespread fungus, commonly recognized as a biotrophic mycoparasite, which is a fungus that lives within the hyphae of their fungal host and are obligately parasitic. In the genus, Piptocephalis, germinating spores have been shown to grow towards the hyphae of their host, especially towards the growing hyphal tips. The host is prevented from repairing their cell walls, and they become abnormally shaped and spore production is inhibited. It has also been found growing on dung. The species P. glomus is endomycorrhizal (a mutualistic association of a fungus and the roots of a plant). Culture - Potato dextrose agar or Malt extract agar, 20° – 25°C, 7 – 10 days.