Hygrophoropsis rufa is a species of fungus in the family Hygrophoropsidaceae. It is found in Europe, where it grows on woodchips or near conifer stumps.

Hygrophoropsis rufa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Boletales
Family: Hygrophoropsidaceae
Genus: Hygrophoropsis
Species:
H. rufa
Binomial name
Hygrophoropsis rufa
(D.A.Reid) Knudsen (2008)
Synonyms
  • Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca var. rufa D.A.Reid (1972)

Taxonomy edit

Originally described by Derek Reid in 1972 as a variety of Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca,[1] it was raised to distinct species status in 2008.[2] Molecular analysis of DNA sequences confirms its genetic uniqueness, and its status as sister species to H. aurantiaca.[3]

Description edit

The fruit body has an orange- to dark brown cap,[3] which is up to 10 cm (4 in) across. The stipe, flesh and decurrent gills are all orange. The gills are forked.[4] Hygrophoropsis rufa can have a penetrating ozone-like smell, reportedly reminiscent of an orchid species Oncidium ornithorhynchum or a photocopier.[5]

Spores of H. rufa are thick-walled and have an ellipsoid shape,[5] and measure 5.6–6.4 by 3.6–4.4 micrometres (μm).[3] They have a strongly dextrinoid staining reaction with Melzer's reagent (resulting in a reddish-brown colour), although not all spores will react. Microscopically, the cells of the cap cuticle are arranged in the form of a trichoderm, where the outermost hyphae emerge roughly parallel, like hairs, perpendicular to the cap surface. These hyphae are of three types: broad, thick-walled and hyaline (translucent); filiform (threadlike); or with granular golden-brown contents. In contrast, the cap cuticle of H. aurantiaca is arranged as a uniformly tangled cutis (with hyphae parallel to the pileus surface).[5]

Habitat and distribution edit

A rare species, H. rufa has been recorded in the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, and Denmark, although unconfirmed internet photos suggest a wider range that includes France and Slovakia.[3] A saprophytic fungus, it fruits on woodchips or near conifer stumps.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ Reid DA. (1972). Fungorum rariorum Icones coloratae. Vol. 6. Cramer. p. 5.
  2. ^ Knudsen H, Vesterhold J. (2008). Funga Nordica. Copenhagen: Nordsvamp. p. 913. ISBN 978-8798396130.
  3. ^ a b c d Holec J, Kolařík M. (2013). "Notes on the identity of Hygrophoropsis rufa (Basidiomycota,Boletales)" (PDF). Czech Mycology. 65 (1): 15–24. doi:10.33585/cmy.65102.
  4. ^ Assyov B. (2013). "Hygrophoropsis rufa (D.A. Reid) Knudsen". Boletales.com. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d Kibby G. (2012). "The Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca complex". Field Mycology. 13 (2): 43–50. doi:10.1016/j.fldmyc.2012.03.004.

External links edit