[3] They are serious plant pathogens, Urocystis, is one of the representative genera of the order, it is an example of a smut genus that has a wide host range.

[5] They are distinguished from other fungi by the existence of haustoria (root-like structure) and pores in the septa of soral hyphae.

[6][7] It was formed in 1997,[7] and consisted (then) of 4 families, (Doassansiopsidaceae, Glomosporiaceae, Melanotaeniaceae and Urocystidaceae with 1 genus.

[8] Later, Melanotaeniaceae was moved to the Ustilaginales order by Begerow et al. in 2006,[6][9] and others were added such as Fereydouniaceae and Floromycetaceae in 2014 S. Nasr, Soudi, H.D.T.

[15] The leaves of Caldesia parnassifolia (Alisma reniforme) can be affected by the water-born fungi, Doassansiopsis hydrophila (A.Dietr.)