Order Meliolales is a group of fungi classified within the class Sordariomycetes. Members of this order are primarily obligate plant parasites, commonly found on the leaves and stems of tropical and subtropical plants. They are known for forming dark, superficial, and often intricate mycelial networks on their hosts, sometimes called "black mildews," without penetrating deeply into plant tissues. Meliolales fungi produce ascomata (fruiting structures) on these surfaces, which release spores for reproduction. They play a role in plant-fungal interactions but generally cause only minor damage, often affecting photosynthesis rather than killing the host. Their distinctive growth on leaves makes them easily recognizable under a microscope.