Skip to main content
Wax crusts
1 species
Cerinomyces is the type and sole accepted genus of the family Cerinomycetaceae. Most members of the class Dacrymycetes form gelatinous, cushion-like fruit bodies. Cerinomyces was traditionally defined by resupinate (crust-like), corticioid basidiocarps that are dry to waxy in texture. Molecular work by Savchenko et al. (2021) showed this traditional, crust-based genus is polyphyletic. They redefined Cerinomyces in the strict sense by microscopic and chemical traits rather than fruit-body form. The revised genus includes some species with gelatinous fruit bodies, while some corticioid species were moved to Dacrymycetaceae.
The genus is diagnostically characterized by the presence of 'tuning fork' or Y-shaped basidia (typical of Dacrymycetes), hyphae with clamp connections, and thin-walled, predominantly aseptate basidiospores. They have low carotenoid content compared with related genera like Dacrymyces, so they usually appear as pale, dull, or olive-brown crusts. Most basidiocarps are effused, ceraceous (waxy) when fresh and brittle when dry, though some species in the revised genus are gelatinous.
Never eat a wild mushroom based on a web page — confirm with an expert.
Mycology is an evolving science: names, classifications and safety information change as research advances. Entries are compiled from cited sources and reviewed, but may be incomplete or out of date — check the sources, and never rely on this library alone to identify or eat a mushroom.
Join WeMush to browse species, discover strains, and start your cultivation journey.
Join WeMush