Pterulicium gracile is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Pterulaceae.[1][2]
| Pterulicium gracile | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Pterulaceae |
| Genus: | Pterulicium |
| Species: | P. gracile
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pterulicium gracile | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Typhula gracilis Desm. & Berk (1838) | |
Pterulicium gracile | |
|---|---|
 | Smooth hymenium |
 | Spore print is white |
 | Ecology is saprotrophic |
 | Edibility is unknown |
Taxonomy edit
This species has a long and complex taxonomic history[1] owing to there being multiple basionyms during the 1800s each of which was reclassified multiple times before ultimately being merged. Amongst others, it has previously been classified as a Typhula or Clavaria species owing to the similar colour, form and diminutive size members of this genus have. The large number of synonyms this species has a result of all these reclassifications speaks to both how often it was found and the lack of significant distinguishing features to separate it neatly from other coral fungi.
The earliest classification of this species was as Typhula gracilis in 1838 by John Baptiste Henri Joseph Desmazières and Miles Joseph Berkeley[3] so the specific epithet gracilis is the one that was retained.
In 1950 the species was reclassified as Pterula gracilis by the British mycologist Edred John Henry Corner.[4] At the time he considered Ceratellopsis rickii and Ceratellopsis tremula to be distinct species however these are now regarded as synonyms.
In 2020 the Pterulaceae family was reclassified based on phylogenetic analysis and many species were split into Pterula, Myrmecopterula, Pterulicium and Phaeopterula genera. This species was one of them and was reclassified as Pterulicium gracile by the mycologists Caio A. Leal-Dutra, Bryn Tjader Mason Dentinger and Gareth W. Griffith in 2020.[5]
Description edit
Pterulicium gracile is a small whitish coral fungus with a delicate branching structure.
Fruit body: 2-10mm thin, hairlike coral that is densely crowded and sometimes forks towards the smooth and shiny pointed tips. Stem: 0.5-1mm but may be absent. Flesh: White. Tough and rubbery. Spore print: White. Spores: Elongated ellipsoid and smooth. 5.5-7.5 x 3-4μm. Basidia: 2-spored. Taste: Indistinct. Smell: strong and unpleasant like chemicals.[6]
Habitat and distribution edit
This species is not commonly recorded in the United Kingdom and is said to be widespread but rarely reported. It has been founded on decaying vegetable matter, leaves and the stems of herbaceous plants in deciduous woodland and marshes. Though it may grow on other plant matter.[7] It grows solitary or in small trooping groups.[6]
As of October 2022[update], GBIF has fewer than 100 recorded observations for Pterulicium gracile[8] and around 200 for the previous taxon Pterula gracilis.[9] Most of these are from Europe.
Etymology edit
The specific epithet gracile (originally gracilis) derives from the Latin 'gracilis' meaning graceful.[10]
Similar species edit
- Pterulicium caricis-pendulae is described similarly and is distinguished based on microscopic characteristics.
References edit
- ^ a b "Species fungorum - Pterulicium gracile (Desm. & Berk.) Leal-Dutra, Dentinger & G.W. Griff". www.speciesfungorum.org. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
- ^ "Mycobank Database - Pterulicium gracile".
- ^ "Species Fungorum - Typhula gracilis Desm. & Berk., Ann. nat. Hist., Mag. Zool. Bot. Geol. 1: 202 (1838)". www.speciesfungorum.org. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ "Species Fungorum - Pterula gracilis (Desm. & Berk.) Corner, Monograph of Clavaria and allied Genera, (Annals of Botany Memoirs No. 1): 514 (1950)". www.speciesfungorum.org. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ Leal-Dutra, Caio A.; Griffith, Gareth W.; Neves, Maria Alice; McLaughlin, David J.; McLaughlin, Esther G.; Clasen, Lina A.; Dentinger, Bryn T. M. (December 2020). "Reclassification of Pterulaceae Corner (Basidiomycota: Agaricales) introducing the ant-associated genus Myrmecopterula gen. nov., Phaeopterula Henn. and the corticioid Radulomycetaceae fam. nov". IMA Fungus. 11 (1): 2. doi:10.1186/s43008-019-0022-6. ISSN 2210-6359. PMC 7325140. PMID 32617254.
- ^ a b Buczacki, Stefan (2012). Collins fungi guide. London: Collins. pp. 452–453. ISBN 978-0-00-724290-0. OCLC 793683235.
- ^ "Checklist of the British & Irish Basidiomycota - Pterula gracilis (Desm. & Berk.) Corner, Monograph of Clavaria and Allied Genera (London): 514 (1950)". www.basidiochecklist.info. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
- ^ "Pterulicium gracile (Desm. & Berk.) Leal-Dutra, Dentinger & G.W.Griff., 2020". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
- ^ "Pterula gracilis (Desm. & Berk.) Corner". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.