Epicoccum nigrum

Synonym: Epicoccum purpurascens

Colonies are fast growing, suede-like to downy, with a strong yellow to orange-brown diffusable pigmentation. When sporulating numerous black sporodochia (aggregates of conidiophores) are visible. Conidia are formed singly on densely compacted, nonspecialized, determinant, slightly pigmented conidiophores. Conidia are globose pyriform, mostly l5-25 um diameter with a funnel-shaped base and broad attachment scar, often seceding with a protuberant basal cell; i.e. aleuric or rhexolytic dehescence of conidia. Conidia become multicellular (dictyoconidia), darkly pigmented and have verrucose external surface.  RG-1 organism.

Culture of Epicoccum nigrum.

Conidia of Epicoccum nigrum.

Clinical significance:

Epicoccum nigrum is a cosmopolitan saprophyte of world-wide distribution which is occasionally isolated as a contaminant from clinical specimens, like skin.

Mycosis: Phaeohyphomycosis

Further reading:

Domsch, K.H., W. Gams, and T.H. Anderson. 1980. Compendium of soil fungi. Volume 1. Academic Press, London, UK.