All species in the genus Petriella have a Graphium state, characterized by dark synnemata and round, single-celled spores in the mucus.
[7] Dimorphic pore openings produce condia to form mucoid balls at the synnemata apex, which is similarly found in Lectographium lundbergii.
[8] The perithecium in which the sexual spores are borne is pale to dark brown colour, 75-125μm in diameter with scattered hairs along the neck.
[5] These spores were only found in P. boulangeri previously, but it is believed P. setifera developed chlamydospores to survive in the soil.
Ethyl acetate extracts from the fungus show activity against fungal pathogens of plants including Magnaporthe grisea and Fusarium oxysporum.
[11] In-vitro, species of Petriella can produce immunosuppressive metabolites but none of the members of this group are regularly implicated in human disease.
[3] Petriella setifera was originally found on horse feces in 1912, but has since been linked to decayed wood, compost and maize field soil.
There are multiple reports of P. setifera found in unique environments including a human nail and bathroom jar, but these may be due to cross-contamination.
[2] One study found P. setifera in wood litter of chicken houses with a history of fungal infestations.
Nothapodytes nimmoniana and Pinus roxburghii are also possible plant hosts of the fungus, found in the Western Himalayas.
CMCase produced by P. setifera has a potential use in denim stoning with the ability to cause fabric loss and indigo dye removal.