1880 The polyphyletic nature of Pyricularia has been resolved in 2014 leading to the definition of a new family, the Pyriculariaceae.

The Pyriculariaceae that reproduce sexually form perithecial fruiting bodies (ascomata), which are immersed, black and with long cylindrical necks covered in setae.

Asci are subcylindrical, unitunicate, short-stipitate and with a large apical ring staining in Meltzer's iodine reagent.

In the case of Magnaporthaceae, morphology of phialophora- or harpophora-like species is characterised by falcate versicoloured conidia on brown, erect conidiophores.

[2] Their host spectrum includes many grasses (Poaceae), and also ginger, sedges, rushes and commelina.