Pithomyces, somewhat common in our air samples, can be found in soil, plant materials, paper products and even emulsion paint.

 

On common laboratory media colonies are powdery and yellow, grey, brown or black though in natural surroundings their appearance may vary. 

 

One interesting fact is that Pithomyces chartarum produces a toxin called sporidesmin on New Zealand grasses.  This toxin affects sheep with facial eczema and terminal liver damage causing a great loss to one of New Zealand’s largest industries.