Distribution
Ubiquitous;
cosmopolitan.
Approx. 20 species.
Where Found
Soil, blackened and dead herbaceous stems and leaf spots, grasses, rushes and sedges. Almost always associated with other fungi.
Mode of Dissemination
Dry spore.
Wind.
Growth Indoors
Rarely found growing indoors.
Industrial Uses
Not known.
Other Comments
None.
Allergens
Not studied.
Potential Opportunist or Pathogen
Rare case of mycotic keratitis reported.
Potential Toxin Production
Not known.
Growth/Culture Characteristics
Colonial morphology is similar to Cladosporium. Periconia is infrequently isolated in culture.
Spore Trap Recognition
Some species have distinguishing spore characteristics and are recognizable. Generally it is difficult to distinguish Periconia spores from the smuts, myxomycetes and other round, brown spore types.
Tape Lift Recognition
Spores with underlying sporulating structures are distinctive, although we very rarely see them on tape lifts.