Cordycipitaceae species have stromata or subicula that are pallid or brightly pigmented and fleshy. Their perithecia are superficial to completely immersed in the substrate, and oriented at right angles to the surface of the stroma. The asci are cylindrical with a thickened ascus tip. Ascospores are usually cylindrical, contain multiple septa, and disarticulate into part-spores or remain intact at maturity.[2]
Parengyodontium album can break down polyethylene (PE), one of the most commonly used plastics. P. album is the fourth fungus that can do so. Laboratory experiments suggest that PE marine waste exposed to ultraviolet light could be broken down and used as an energy source by the fungus at a rate of 0.044% per day.[5]
^Vaksmaa, A.; Vielfaure, H.; Polerecky, L.; Kienhuis, M.V.M.; van der Meer, M.T.J.; Pflüger, T.; Egger, M.; Niemann, H. (July 2024). "Biodegradation of polyethylene by the marine fungus Parengyodontium album". Science of the Total Environment. 934: 172819. Bibcode:2024ScTEn.93472819V. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172819. PMID38679106.
