Pythiaceae is a family of oomycetes. The family includes serious plant and animal pathogens in the genus Pythium. The family was circumscribed by German mycologist Joseph Schröter in 1893.
Pythiaceae | |
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Water mould - Phytophthora forms: A: Sporangia. B: Zoospore. C: Chlamydospore. D: Oospore | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
Clade: | SAR |
Clade: | Stramenopiles |
Phylum: | Oomycota |
Order: | Peronosporales |
Family: | Pythiaceae J. Schröt., 1893 |
Type genus | |
Pythium Pringsh., 1858
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Genera | |
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The sporangia may germinate via a germ tube or by release of motile zoospores, depending on the species and the environmental conditions.
Some Pythium species cause "damping off" diseases in young plants (seedlings).