Partial 25S rRNA sequencing of Cerinosterus cyanescens showed it to be a cl
ose relative of Microstroma juglandis, a member of the basidiomycetous orde
r Microstromatales. It is unrelated to the generic type species, C. luteoal
ba, which is a member of the order Dacrymycetales. The clinical occurrence
of C. cyanescens is possibly explained by its thermotolerance and lipolytic
activity. The species' nutritional profile is established. Growth on n-hex
adecane is rapid; it grows well on typical plant constituents like gallic,
tannic, vanillic, quinic and p-coumaric acids, but not on 3-hydroxybenzoic
acid, phenol and hydroquinone. The failure to assimilate D-galactose, L-sor
bose and ethylamine, the presence of urease and sensitivity to cycloheximid
e are diagnostic for the species.