''Exserohilum'' is a genus of fungi in the family

Pleosporaceae Pleosporaceae is a family of sac fungi. The taxonomic relationship of this family to associated genera is still not determined. Genera As accepted by GBIF; * '' Acrothecium'' (13) * ''Alternaria'' Nees ex Wallroth, 1816 (841) * '' Alternariast ...

. The ''Exserohilum'' species are known for causing blight and human immune system diseases. The sexual reproductive (or ascigerous) states of Exserohilum species are known as

Setosphaeria ''Setosphaeria'' is a genus of fungi in the family Pleosporaceae Pleosporaceae is a family of sac fungi. The taxonomic relationship of this family to associated genera is still not determined. Genera As accepted by GBIF; * '' Acrothecium'' ...

. The type species is ''

Exserohilum turcicum ''Setosphaeria turcica'' (anamorph ''Exserohilum turcicum''; formerly known as ''Helminthosporium turcicum'') is the causal agent of northern corn leaf blight in maize. It is a serious fungal disease prevalent in cooler climates and tropical hig ...

''. This genus is among three

dematiaceous “Black yeasts”, sometimes also black fungi, dematiaceous fungi, microcolonial fungi or meristematic fungi is a diverse group of slow-growing microfungi which reproduce mostly asexually (fungi imperfecti). Only few genera reproduce by budding ...

that are categorized for containing pathogens leading to diseases like

phaeohyphomycosis Phaeohyphomycosis is a diverse group of fungal infections, caused by dematiaceous fungi whose morphologic characteristics in tissue include hyphae, yeast-like cells, or a combination of these. It can be associated an array of melanistic filamento ...

Morphology

''Exserohilum'' is an asexual organism that reproduces through spores. These one-celled reproductive units are concave and can be seen in the

suspensor Suspensors are anatomical structures found in certain fungi and plants. Fungi In fungi, suspensors are filamentous structural formations having the function of holding a zygospore between two strains of hyphae. Plants In plants, suspensors are ...