Seven new records of ascomycetous macrofungi from Suliamaniya province (Northeast of Iraq)

Abstract

The present study was carried out during march- may 2016 on macrofungi  specimens collected from forests of  Suliamaniya province in the northeast of Iraq . These forests are  rich in tree species(Ex: Quercus spp. and Juglans sp. ) with diverse groups of shrubs and herbs  and are expected to harbour  many  macrofungal  species . However , base – line data of macrofungi  in Iraq has not generated till date . In this study , seven  ascomycetous  macrofungi: Helvella acetabulum , H. compressa , H.costifera , H. crispa ,H. lacunose ( Pezizales : Helvellaceae ) , Morchella esculenta ( Pezizales : Morchellaceae ) and Tarzetta sp. ( Pezizales: Pyronemataceae ) were reported from this province . These species were identified on the basis of macro and microscopic characteristics and are first records from Iraq .

Keywords: macrofungi , Pezizales ,  Suliamaniya province , Iraq