The members of this group are usually terrestrial and will be encountered only occasionally in aquatic conditions. Zygomycetes are easy to observe. They will invariably grow if soil is sprinkled over strawberries or raspberries. All ascomycetes have ascospores borne inside asci. The hyphae always bear numerous septa.
Asexual reproduction is by conidia that always lack motility.
Although most ascomycetes are terrestrial, some occur in freshwater or marine habitats. Ascomycetes are everywhere and can be collected year around. The minute black dots on rotting wood and leaves or the little cups on lichens will often prove to be perfect examples. This large group, which includes mushrooms and puffballs, is characterized by the presence of basidia and basidiospores. Like ascomycetes, to which they are related, basidiomycetes have hyphae with septa and lack motile spores.