Probably the most infamous fungus, Stachybotrys has been implicated in numerous cases of infection among humans though this has not been confirmed.  It is a cellulosic degrading fungus which is commonly isolated from paper, wall paper, gypsum board, seeds, soil, textiles, and dead plant material.

 

On common laboratory media, the colonies are effuse and usually black or blackish green, though natural growth characteristics may vary.

 

This fungus produces many mycotoxins, including at least five stable trichothecenes.  These mycotoxins produce an infection called stachybotryotoxicosis in horses, cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep and even humans.

 

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