Yellow Earth Tongue
With only three named species, Neolecta is the lone genus in the Neolectaceae, which is the lone family of the order Neolectales, which is the lone order in the class Neolectomycetes, which is in the subphylum Tephrinomycotina of the phylum Ascomycota. Hence this earth tongue is very ancient and basal in fungal cladistics. It is found in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Fruit bodies may be up to 3 inches tall. Spores are produced from asci on all portions above the smallish stipe. Interestingly they arise from rootlets of trees, but it is not known if the association is parasitic or symbiotic. The shape may be cylindrical, flattened or irregular. There is no odor. The taste is mild and they are edible, though too small for culinary fare.