Aphyllophorales

9.9

A group of fungi that grow as shelf-like shapes on wood

noun
/əˌfɪləˈfɔːrəlɪz/

Archaic

: Aphyllophorales

Some shelf fungi, previously grouped under Aphyllophorales, are now placed in different families.

Examples

Many wood-decaying fungi once classified in the Aphyllophorales can be found in temperate forests.
Many species of Aphyllophorales grow on decaying wood.
The taxonomic position of Aphyllophorales has changed as fungal classification has advanced.
The Aphyllophorales are fascinating fungi.
Many wood-decaying fungi classified under Aphyllophorales play an essential role in forest ecosystems.
Some species of Aphyllophorales are commonly found growing on dead trees in moist environments.
Researchers study Aphyllophorales to understand their impact on nutrient cycling in forest habitats.

Surface Forms

Aphyllophorales singular

Aphyllophorales plural

Morphology

Aphyllophorales = a + phyllophor + ales

A technical taxonomic formation from Greek combining forms plus the scientific order suffix '-ales'; the components are not productive or familiar to an average B1 learner, so the meaning is not transparently derivable.

Etymology

Aphyllophorales comes from Greek parts a- meaning 'without' and phyllo meaning 'leaf'. So the name was used for fungi that are 'without leaf' — they do not have the leaf-like gills of normal mushrooms and often grow as shelf-like shapes on wood.