Cunninghamella blakesleeana CBS 133.27 growing on artificial media. Photo credit: Ronald de Vries & Sumitha Reddy, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute.

Cunninghamella blakesleeana is a saprotrophic fungus in the family Cunninghamellaceae, known for its rapid growth on various agar media, forming broad, hyaline, non-septate hyphae, and spherical sporangia. Commonly found in soil, decaying plant material, and dung, this fungus thrives in organic-rich environments, decomposing material to recycle nutrients. The species has relevance for biotechnology through its ability to biotransform organic compounds, including pharmaceuticals and steroids. Cunninghamella blakesleeana also poses a risk as an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals, causing infections like zygomycosis.

CBS 133.27 is the type strain from C. blakesleeana and was originally obtained from Switzerland.