Abstract: There has been little attention or intensive study of the genus Embellisia Simmons in the 30 years since the genus was established in 1971. However, there is now much interest in it as some important plant pathogens and plant endophytes have been found in recent years. This paper summaries the literature, morphology, biology, physiology, ecology and economic value of the genus and discusses prospects for further studies. Thick and dark conidial septa are the most diagnosing characteristics, and Embellisia is morphologically similar to Helminthosporium, Curvularia, Drechslera etc and also to dematiaceous dictyo-mitosporic fungi such as Stemphylium, Acrodictys, Nimbya, Gibbage, Alternaria and Ulocladium. Twenty three species have been described from various habitats with 21 species found in plant rhizospheres, roots, stems and leaves. Five species have been reported from China. Two groups of Embellisia are of importance: one is plant pathogens which decrease production and quality of Allium satibum, Haycinthus orientalls, or promote degradation of Astragalus adsurgens pastures; the other is plant endophytes which increase toxicity of locoweed (Astragalus spp., Oxytropis spp.) and result in poisoning of livestock. However, the endophytes can produce swainsonine which can be used in treatment of some human diseases. Molecular biology studies have shown that Embellisia spp. are poly-morphic and genetically closer to Nimbya, Alternaria, and Ulocladium than to Stemphyliumn. In the future, toxicosis of livestock caused by the locoweed endophyte must be controlled. New species of Embellisia should be sought, the genetic diversity and teleomorph of Embellisia studied, and the genetics and production mechanism of swainsonie in the endophytic Embellisia elucidated as steps towards better economic utilization of this genus.