Chaetomium is a widespread fungus often found in the soil or on plant material where it is commonly known as soft-rot fungus. It is also a common indoor fungi especially in water damaged buildings. It is known to damage fabrics, wall paper and textiles as we have often found colonies of Chaetomium growing on bulk samples of sheetrock. 

 

On common laboratory media colonies appear white to olive-grey with dark brown to black ascomata, though natural growth characteristics can vary.

 

Chaetomium can be allergenic and has been known to occasionally cause human disease including systemic mycosis, especially among immuno-compromised individuals.

 

Certain species within the genus are used industrially as biological control agents of the apple scab fungus which attacks apple trees.