# Clavicipitaceae

The Clavicipitaceae are a family of fungi within the order Hypocreales. A 2008 estimate placed 43 genera in the family, but a study in 2020 has increased this number to 50.

## Phylogeny

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of multigene DNA sequence data indicates the taxon Clavicipitaceae is paraphyletic, and consists of three well-defined clades, at least one of which is shared with members of another fungal family (Hypocreaceae). The evolution within the Clavicipitaceae is marked by interkingdom host jumping, and the range of this large and heterogeneous fungal group spans mutualistic plant symbionts, as well as parasites of plants, insects, and other fungi.

## Significance

Many of its members produce alkaloids toxic to animals and humans. One of its most infamous species is Claviceps purpurea, which has historical significance as the cause of St. Anthony's fire, also known as ergotism. Ergotism is caused by ergot alkaloids, such as ergotamine and ergocristine, which are chemical derivatives of lysergic acid. Metarhizium species are widely used in the biological control of insect pests.

## Genera

Several genera, especially those previously described as "anamorphic" (having no known sexual cycle) are now re-classified into other families, in light of current molecular and other evidence. As of November 2024, the following genera are placed in the family Clavicipitaceae:
* Aciculosporium I. Miyake (1908)
* Allocordyceps Poinar (2021)
* Aschersonia Mont. (1848)
* Atkinsonella Diehl (1950)
* Balansia Speg. (1885)
* Balansiopsis Höhn. (1910)
* Berkelella (Sacc.) Sacc. (1891)
* Cavimalum Yoshim. Doi, Dargan & K.S. Thind (1977)
* Claviceps Tul. (1853)
* Commelinaceomyces E. Tanaka (2020)
* Conoideocrella D. Johnson, G.H. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora (2009)
* Corallocytostroma Y.N. Yu & Z.Y. Zhang (1980)
* Drechmeria W. Gams & H.-B. Jansson (1985)
* Dussiella Pat. (1890)
* Ephelis Fr. (1849)
* Epichloe (Fr.) Tul. & C. Tul. (1865)
* Epicrea Petr. (1950)
* Harposporium Lohde (1874)
* Helicocollum Luangsa-ard, Mongkols., Noisrip. & Thanak. (2017)
* Helminthascus Tranzschel (1898)
* Heteroepichloe E. Tanaka, C. Tanaka, Gafur & Tsuda (2002)
* Hypocrella Sacc. (1878)
* Keithomyces Samson, Luangsa-ard & Houbraken (2020)
* Konradia Racib. (1900)
* Linearistroma Höhn. 1910)
* Loculistroma F. Patt. & Charles (1910)
* Marquandomyces Samson, Houbraken & Luangsa-ard (2020)
* Metacordyceps G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora (2007)
* Metapochonia Kepler, S.A. Rehner & Humber (2014)
* Metarhiziopsis D.W. Li, R.S. Cowles & C.R. Vossbrinck (2008)
* Metarhizium Sorokīn (1879)
* Moelleriella Bres. (1897)
* Morakotia Mongkols., Noisrip., Khons., Thanakitp. & Luangsa-ard (2021)
* Mycomalus A. Möller (1901)
* MycophilomycesCrous & M.J. Wingf. (2016)
* Myriogenospora G.F. Atk. (1894)
* Neoaraneomyces W.H. Chen, Y.F. Han, J.D. Liang & Z.Q. Liang (2022)
* Neobarya Lowen (1986)
* Neocordyceps Kobayasi (1984)
* Nigelia Luangsa-ard, Tasan. & Thanak. (2017)
* Nigrocornus Ryley & Langdon (2003)
* Orbiocrella D. Johnson, G.H. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora (2009)
* †Palaeoclaviceps Poinar, S.C. Alderman & J. Wunderl. (2015)
* Parametarhizium S. Gao, W. Meng, Li Xiang Zhang, Q. Yue & L.J. Xu (2021)
* Parepichloe J.F. White & P.V. Reddy (1998)
* Petchia Thanakitp., Mongkols. & Luangsa-ard (2020)
* Pochonia Bat. & O.M. Fonseca (1965)
* Polynema Lév. (1846)
* Pseudomeria G.L. Barron (1980)
* Pseudometarhizium W.H. Chen, Y.F. Han, J.D. Liang & Z.Q. Liang (2022)
* Purpureomyces Luangsa-ard, Samson & Thanakitp. (2020)
* Regiocrella P. Chaverri & K.T. Hodge (2006)
* Romanoa Thirum. (1954)
* Rotiferophthora G.L. Barron (1991)
* Samuelsia P. Chaverri & K.T. Hodge (2008)
* Shimizuomyces Kobayasi (1981)
* Sphaerocordyceps Kobayasi (1981)
* Stereocrea Syd. & P. Syd. (1917)
* Sungia Luangsa-ard, Samson & Thanakitp. (2020)
* Tyrannicordyceps Kepler & Spatafora (2012)
* Ustilaginoidea Bref. (1895)
* Yosiokobayasia Samson, Luangsa-ard & Thanakitp (2020)