Human interactions with fungi the weather, and in the case of dry rot caused by "Serpula lacrymans", also of timbers in largely dry houses. Some wood-decay fungi such as the honey fungi, species of "Armillaria", are parasites of living trees, attacking their roots and eventually killing them, and continuing to decompose the wood when they are dead. Honey fungus is a serious horticultural pest, as it can spread from tree to tree by long strap-shaped rhizomorphs in the soil. Fungi are important crop pathogens, as they reproduce rapidly, affect a wide range of crops around the world, cause some 85% of plant diseases, and
Serpula divers and other casual observers. Following is a brief description of the cladistics and taxonomic classification of "Serpula": While the higher taxonomy is fairly well understood, the lower taxonomy within the genus "Serpula" is somewhat confusing, and not yet thoroughly worked out. Earlier sources have described as many as 77 different species and subspecies. However, there are currently only 29 recognized species in the genus "Serpula". The number and names of these species may soon change as a result of an ongoing revision of the genus by taxonomists. Worldwide,very common. Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Red