This family, like the following, has hemiangiocarpic ascocarps (apothecia). These are closed in the early stages, but when ripe open in a valvular manner by a longitudinal fissure; they are black, oblong, and often twisted. Some species are parasites, especially upon the Coniferæ.
Fig. 123.—Lophodermium (Hypoderma) nervisequium: a two leaves of Abies alba seen from above with pycnidia; b a leaf seen from the underside with apothecia; c an ascus with ascospores. (× 500.)
Fig. 124.—Three leaves of the Red-pine with Lophodermium macrosporum: a under side of the leaves with apothecia; b a leaf from upper side with pycnidia. (× about 2.)
Fig. 125.—Lophodermium pinastri: a leaves of Pinus sylvestris with apothecia (nat. size); b two paraphyses and an ascus with filamentous spores.
Order 1. Hysteriaceæ. Hysterium pulicare upon the ruptured bark of many trees.
Order 2. Hypodermaceæ. The species of Lophodermium live upon the leaves of Conifers, and are the cause of their falling off (blight). L. pinastri (Fig. [125]), on the leaves of Pinus and Picea; the leaves become red-brown and fall off; at first conidiocarps are formed, and later apothecia; L. nervisequium (Fig. [123]), on Abies alba; L. macrosporum (Fig. [124]), on Picea excelsa; L. brachysporum, on Pinus strobus.
Order 3. Dichænaceæ.