Question:medium

Which pair of the following belongs to basidiomycetes ?

Updated On: May 22, 2026
  • puffballs and Claviceps
  • Peziza and stink horns
  • Morchella and mushrooms
  • birds nest fungi and puffballs.
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

To determine which pair belongs to the class Basidiomycetes, we need to understand the characteristics of fungi in this class. Basidiomycetes are commonly known as club fungi and include mushrooms, puffballs, shelf fungi, jelly fungi, and rusts, among others. They reproduce sexually by producing spores on a structure called a basidium.

  1. First option: Puffballs and Claviceps.
    • Puffballs are indeed basidiomycetes. They produce spores in a spherical fruiting body.
    • Claviceps, however, belongs to the class Ascomycetes. It is known for causing ergot in grains.

    This option is incorrect as Claviceps is not a basidiomycete.

  2. Second option: Peziza and stink horns.
    • Peziza is a member of the Ascomycetes, not Basidiomycetes.
    • Stink horns are indeed basidiomycetes known for their foul odor which attracts insects for spore dispersal.

    This option is incorrect as Peziza is not a basidiomycete.

  3. Third option: Morchella and mushrooms.
    • Morchella, commonly known as morels, belongs to the Ascomycetes.
    • Mushrooms are classic examples of basidiomycetes.

    This option is incorrect as Morchella is not a basidiomycete.

  4. Fourth option: Birds nest fungi and puffballs.
    • Birds nest fungi are small basidiomycetes that disseminate their spores through raindrop impact.
    • Puffballs are basidiomycetes that release spores when their peridium is broken.

    This option is correct as both organisms belong to the Basidiomycetes class.

Therefore, the correct answer is birds nest fungi and puffballs, as both belong to the class Basidiomycetes.

In summary, when determining classes of fungi, it's crucial to consider their reproductive structures. Basidiomycetes, characterized by the production of spores on a basidium, include organisms such as mushrooms, puffballs, and birds nest fungi.

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