Cuphophyllus virgineus

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Cuphophyllus virgineus
2007-10-20 Cuphophyllus virgineus.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Hygrophoraceae
Genus: Cuphophyllus
Species:
C. virgineus
Binomial name
Cuphophyllus virgineus
(Wulfen) Kovalenko (1989)
Synonyms
  • Agaricus niveus Scop. (1772)
  • Agaricus virgineusWulfen (1781)
  • Hygrophorus niveus(Scop.) Fr.) (1838)
  • Hygrophorus virgineus(Wulfen) Fr.) (1838)
  • Camarophyllus virgineus(Wulfen) P.Kumm. (1871)
  • Camarophyllus virginea(Giovanni Antonio Scopoli
  • Hygrocybe nivea(Scop.) Murrill (1916)
  • Hygrocybe virginea(Wulfen) P.D.Orton & Watling (1969)
  • Cuphophyllus niveus(Scop.) Bon (1984)

Cuphophyllus virgineus is a species of agaric (gilled mushroom) in the family Hygrophoraceae. Its recommended English common name is snowy waxcap in the UK. [1] The species has a largely north temperate distribution, occurring in grassland in Europe and in woodland in North America and northern Asia, but is also known from Australia. It typically produces basidiocarps (fruit bodies) in the autumn.

Contents

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1781 by the Austrian mycologist Franz Xaver von Wulfen as Agaricus virgineus. It was subsequently combined in a number of different genera, being transferred to Hygrocybe in 1969 before being transferred to Cuphophyllus . The specific epithet comes from Latin "virgineus" (= pure white). [2] Hygrocybe nivea, first described by the Italian mycologist and naturalist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in 1772, was sometimes distinguished by producing smaller and more slender fruit bodies than H. virginea, but is now regarded as a synonym. [3]

Molecular research published in 2011, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences found that Hygrocybe virginea does not belong in Hygrocybe sensu stricto and belongs in the genus Cuphophyllus instead. [4]

Description

Basidiocarps are agaricoid, up to 75 mm (3 in) tall, the cap convex at first, becoming flat or slightly depressed when expanded, up to 75 mm (3 in) across. The cap surface is smooth, waxy when damp, hygrophanous and somewhat translucent with a striate margin, white to ivory (rarely with ochre to brownish tints). The lamellae (gills) are waxy, cap-coloured, and decurrent (widely attached to and running down the stipe). The stipe (stem) is smooth, cylindrical or tapering to the base, cap-coloured, and waxy when damp. The spore print is white, the spores (under a microscope) smooth, inamyloid, ellipsoid, about 7.0 to 8.5 by 4.5 to 5.0  μm. [3] The taste is bitter to acrid. [5]

The species is sometimes parasitized by the mould Marquandomyces marquandi , which colours the lamellae violet. [3]

Similar species

Cuphophyllus russocoriaceus is very similar in appearance, but can be distinguished in the field by its strong smell of sandalwood. Cuphophyllus berkeleyi is also similar, but fruit bodies are typically larger and non-hygrophanous (it has sometimes been considered a white form of Cuphophyllus pratensis ). [3]

Distribution and habitat

The snowy waxcap is widespread throughout the north temperate zone, occurring in Europe, North America, and northern Asia, and has also been recorded from Australia. [6] Like other waxcaps, it grows in old, unimproved, short-sward grassland (pastures and lawns) in Europe, but in woodland elsewhere. Recent research suggests waxcaps are neither mycorrhizal nor saprotrophic but may be associated with mosses. [7]

Conservation

In Europe, Cuphophyllus virgineus is typical of waxcap grasslands, a declining habitat due to changing agricultural practices. Cuphophyllus virgineus is one of the commonest species in the genus and is not considered to be of conservation concern (unlike most other waxcaps). [3] In 1997, the species was featured on a postage stamp issued by the Faeroe Islands.

Edibility

Fruit bodies are considered edible and good. [8]

Related Research Articles

<i>Hygrocybe conica</i> Species of fungus

Hygrocybe conica is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. In the UK it has been given the recommended English name of blackening waxcap, since all parts of the basidiocarp blacken with age. In North America it is commonly known as the witch's hat, conical wax cap or conical slimy cap. Hygrocybe conica is known to be a complex of at least eleven closely related species and as such is widespread in Europe, North America, Asia, and elsewhere.

Hygrocybe punicea is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of crimson waxcap. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the species being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Records of H. punicea from North America, East Asia, and Australia require further research to see if they represent the same species.

<i>Cuphophyllus</i> Genus of fungi

Cuphophyllus is a genus of agaric fungi in the family Hygrophoraceae. Cuphophyllus species belong to a group known as waxcaps in English, sometimes also waxy caps in North America or waxgills in New Zealand. In Europe, Cuphophyllus species are typical of waxcap grasslands, a declining habitat due to changing agricultural practices. As a result, four species, Cuphophyllus atlanticus, C. colemannianus, C. lacmus, and C. lepidopus are of global conservation concern and are listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

<i>Hygrocybe chlorophana</i> Species of fungus

Hygrocybe chlorophana is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of golden waxcap in the UK. The species has a largely north temperate distribution, occurring in grassland in Europe and in woodland in North America and northern Asia; it has also been reported from mountainous areas of southern Australia. It typically produces basidiocarps in the autumn. In a few European countries, H. chlorophana is of conservation concern, appearing on national red lists of threatened fungi.

<i>Cuphophyllus pratensis</i> Species of fungus

Cuphophyllus pratensis is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of meadow waxcap in the UK and in North America has variously been called the meadow waxy cap, salmon waxy cap, and butter meadowcap. The species has a widespread, mainly temperate distribution, occurring in grassland in Europe and in woodland elsewhere. The basidiocarps are edible and are occasionally collected and sold commercially.

<i>Gliophorus irrigatus</i> Species of fungus

Gliophorus irrigatus is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of slimy waxcap in the UK. The species is widespread in temperate regions, occurring in grassland in Europe and in woodland in North America and elsewhere.

<i>Hygrocybe quieta</i> Species of fungus

Hygrocybe quieta is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of oily waxcap in the UK. The species has a European distribution and typically occurs in grassland where it produces basidiocarps in the autumn. In several countries, H. quieta is of conservation concern, appearing on national red lists of threatened fungi.

<i>Gliophorus europerplexus</i> Species of fungus

Gliophorus europerplexus is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of butterscotch waxcap. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the species being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

<i>Gliophorus reginae</i> Species of fungus

Gliophorus reginae is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of jubilee waxcap. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the species being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

<i>Gloioxanthomyces vitellinus</i> Species of fungus


Gloioxanthomyces vitellinus is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of Glistening Waxcap. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the Glistening Waxcap being assessed as globally "endangered" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

<i>Hygrocybe splendidissima</i> Species of fungus

Hygrocybe splendidissima, is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of Splendid Waxcap. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the species being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Neohygrocybe ingrata is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of dingy waxcap. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the species being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

<i>Hygrocybe citrinovirens</i> Species of fungus

Hygrocybe citrinovirens is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of Citrine Waxcap. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the species being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

<i>Neohygrocybe ovina</i> Species of fungus

Neohygrocybe ovina is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of blushing waxcap, since the lamellae (gills) and flesh turn pinkish red when bruised. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the species being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

<i>Hygrocybe spadicea</i> Species of fungus

Hygrocybe spadicea is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of Date Waxcap. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the species being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

<i>Cuphophyllus colemannianus</i> Species of fungus

Cuphophyllus colemannianus is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of toasted waxcap. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the species being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

<i>Cuphophyllus lacmus</i> Species of fungus

Cuphophyllus lacmus is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of grey waxcap. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the species being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

<i>Neohygrocybe nitrata</i> Species of fungus

Neohygrocybe nitrata is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of nitrous waxcap, based on its smell. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the species being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

<i>Cuphophyllus atlanticus</i> Species of fungus

Cuphophyllus atlanticus is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. Until recently (2021), the species was considered to be conspecific with the North American Cuphophyllus canescens, but DNA sequencing has shown that it is distinct. As C. canescens, it has been given the recommended English name of felted waxcap in the United Kingdom. Cuphophyllus atlanticus has a European and North American distribution, occurring in Europe mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in C. canescens being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Cuphophyllus lepidopus is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of scalyfoot waxcap. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the species being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

References

  1. ↑ Holden L. (April 2022). "English names for fungi 2022". British Mycological Society . Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  2. ↑ Rea C. (1922). British Basidiomycetaceae: A Handbook of the Larger British Fungi. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 799.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Boertmann D. (2010). The genus Hygrocybe (2nd ed.). Copenhagen: Danish Mycological Society. p. 200. ISBN   978-87-983581-7-6.
  4. ↑ Babos M, Halász K, Zagyva T, Zöld-Balogh Á, Szegő D, Bratek Z (2011). "Preliminary notes on dual relevance of ITS sequences and pigments in Hygrocybe taxonomy". Persoonia. 26: 99–107. doi:10.3767/003158511X578349. PMC   3160800 . PMID   22025807.
  5. ↑ Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 66. ISBN   978-0-88192-935-5.
  6. ↑ "Hygrocybe virginea". GBIF. Retrieved 2011-12-28.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. ↑ Seitzman BH, Ouimette A, Mixon RL, Hobbie EA, Hibbett DS (2011). "Conservation of biotrophy in Hygrophoraceae inferred from combined stable isotope and phylogenetic analyses". Mycologia. 103 (2): 280–290. doi:10.3852/10-195. PMID   21139028. S2CID   318326.
  8. ↑ Phillips, Roger (2010) [2005]. Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America . Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p.  76. ISBN   978-1-55407-651-2.
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