| 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) Contents | |
Pterulicium gracile | |
|---|---|
 | Smooth hymenium |
 | Spore print is white |
 | Ecology is saprotrophic |
 | Edibility is unknown |
Pterulicium gracile is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Pterulaceae. [1] [2]
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]
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]
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.
The specific epithet gracile (originally gracilis) derives from the Latin 'gracilis' meaning graceful. [10]
The Pterulaceae are a family of fungi in the order Agaricales. According to a 2008 estimate, the family contained 99 species previously distributed among 12 genera. More recent data from molecular phylogenetic reconstruction showed that members of the genus Parapterulicium are unrelated to Pterulaceae and also polyphyletic. A new genus Baltazaria was created and both genera were moved to Russulales, to families Lachnocladiaceae and Peniophoraceae respectively.
The clavarioid fungi are a group of fungi in the Basidiomycota typically having erect, simple or branched basidiocarps that are formed on the ground, on decaying vegetation, or on dead wood. They are colloquially called club fungi and coral fungi.
Aphanobasidium is a genus of corticioid or crust fungi in the Radulomycetaceae family. The genus has a widespread distribution and contains several species. This genus was formally considered to be part of the Pterulaceae family.
Parapterulicium is a genus of fungi in the order Russulales. The genus contains two species found in Brazil and Argentina.
Pterula is a genus of fungi in the Pterulaceae family. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical regions, and contains about 50 species. One such species, Pterula sp. 82168, has yielded potential antifungal antibiotic properties.
Pterulicium is a genus of fungi in the Pterulaceae family. The genus was previously monotypic, containing the single species Pterulicium xylogenum, found in southeast Asia. However in 2020 a major reclassification of the Pterulaceae family occurred based on phylogenetic analysis and the Pterula genus was split into Pterula, Myrmecopterula, Pterulicium and Phaeopterula by the mycologists Caio A. Leal-Dutra, Bryn Tjader Mason Dentinger and Gareth W. Griffith.
Radulomyces is a genus of crust fungi in the family Radulomycetaceae. The genus has a widespread distribution and contains 11 species. It was circumscribed by Danish botanist Mads Peter Christiansen in 1960, with Radulomyces confluens as the type species. This genus was formally considered to be part of the Pterulaceae family.
Phlegmacium flavivelatum is a species of fungus in the family Cortinariaceae.
Calonarius xanthodryophilus is a species of fungus in the family Cortinariaceae.
Myrmecopterula is a genus of fungi in the family Pterulaceae. Basidiocarps are clavarioid and are associated with ant domestication by members of the genus Apterostigma.
Myrmecopterula moniliformis is a species of fungus in the family Pterulaceae and is the type species of the genus Myrmecopterula. It is associated with fungi cultivating ants of the genus Apterostigma.
Myrmecopterula velohortorum is a species of fungus in the family Pterulaceae. It is associated with fungi cultivating ants of the genus Apterostigma.
Myrmecopterula nudihortorum is a species of fungus in the family Pterulaceae. It is associated with fungi cultivating ants of the genus Apterostigma.
The Radulomycetaceae are a family of fungi in the order Agaricales.
Phaeopterula is a genus of fungi in the family Pterulaceae. Basidiocarps are clavarioid and resemble species of Pterula.
Radulotubus is a monotypic genus of corticioid or crust fungi in the family Radulomycetaceae containing the single resupinate species Radulotubus resupinatus. This species was found in Yunnan province, China and formally classified in 2016. The specimen was found growing on the fallen trunk of an angiosperm. It was originally placed in the family Pterulaceae and noted to be closesly related with Aphanobasidium and Radulomyces.
Pterula subulata is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Pterulaceae. It has the common name angel hair coral.
Pterula multifida is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Pterulaceae.
Pterulicium caricis-pendulae is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Pterulaceae. It has the common name pendulous sedge club.