Chroogomphus
Encyclopedia
Chroogomphus is a genus of mushrooms commonly known as pine-spikes or spike-caps based on their shape and the fact that they are always found growing in association with pine
trees. The genus is distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere
including North America
, the Caribbean
, Europe
, and Asia
.
χρω- chroo-, meaning 'skin' or 'colour', and 'γομφος' gomphos meaning 'plug' or 'large wedge-shaped nail'.
which are agaricoid members of the Boletales
(suborder Suillineae). Related to the genus Gomphidius
(in which they were once classified), Chroogomphus are distinguished from Gomphidius by their lack of a partial veil
.
Members of this genus have been thought to be ectomycorrhizal with various species of pine, however, there is now evidence that all members of the Gomphidiaceae are parasitic upon other boletes. Specifically, Chroogomphus species are thought to be parasitic on various pine-associated Suillus
species, with this parasitism often being highly species-specific.
for this genus. It has been the subject of investigation as the source of antibiotics, as well as other potentially useful secondary compounds.
The cap is up to 10 cm in diameter and red-brown in colour. The widely spaced gills are brownish-orange and decurrent with black to brownish-yellow spore
s. The stalk is brownish-yellow and tapers toward the base. The flesh is orange to salmon-coloured and turns violet when chewed.
Chroogomphus ochraceus (image) of North America is very similar in habit and appearance to C. rutilis, and the latter name has often been misapplied to C. ochraceus.
Chroogomphus vinicolor (image), another North American species, is likewise similar to C. rutilus, although C. vinicolor tends to be smaller. The cap color is variable in both species, with C. vinicolor being, as its scientific name suggests, more wine-colored while C. rutilus is usually more brown. The most distinctive differences between these three species are microscopic.
Other species within genus Chroogomphus include:
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
trees. The genus is distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
including North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
.
Taxonomy
The genus name is derived from the GreekAncient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
χρω- chroo-, meaning 'skin' or 'colour', and 'γομφος' gomphos meaning 'plug' or 'large wedge-shaped nail'.
Relationships
These fungi are members of the family GomphidiaceaeGomphidiaceae
Gomphidiaceae are a family of mushrooms in Boletales or pored fungi. Unlike other boletes, all members of Gomphidiaceae are agarics, having gills instead of pores. Member genera include Chroogomphus, Cystogomphus, Gomphidius and Gomphogaster, the last being a monotypic genus Gomphidiaceae are a...
which are agaricoid members of the Boletales
Boletales
The Boletales are an order of Agaricomycetes, containing over 1300 species with a diverse array of fruiting body types. The boletes are the best known members of this group, and until recently, the Boletales were thought to only contain boletes...
(suborder Suillineae). Related to the genus Gomphidius
Gomphidius
Gomphidius is a genus of mushrooms, commonly known as spike-caps, that are members of the Boletales , or pored fungi. They appear to have gill-like structures which resemble those of agarics, however the similarity is superficial only. The best-known member is the slimy spike-cap...
(in which they were once classified), Chroogomphus are distinguished from Gomphidius by their lack of a partial veil
Partial veil
thumb|150px|right|Developmental stages of [[Agaricus campestris]] showing the role and evolution of a partial veilPartial veil is a mycological term used to describe a temporary structure of tissue found on the fruiting bodies of some basidiomycete fungi, typically agarics...
.
Members of this genus have been thought to be ectomycorrhizal with various species of pine, however, there is now evidence that all members of the Gomphidiaceae are parasitic upon other boletes. Specifically, Chroogomphus species are thought to be parasitic on various pine-associated Suillus
Suillus
Suillus is a genus of basidiomycete fungi in the family Suillaceae and order Boletales. Species in the genus are associated with coniferous trees, and are mostly distributed in northern temperate locations, although some species have been introduced to the Southern Hemisphere.-Taxonomy:The genus...
species, with this parasitism often being highly species-specific.
Species
Chroogomphus rutilus (image), found in Europe, is the type speciesType species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
for this genus. It has been the subject of investigation as the source of antibiotics, as well as other potentially useful secondary compounds.
The cap is up to 10 cm in diameter and red-brown in colour. The widely spaced gills are brownish-orange and decurrent with black to brownish-yellow spore
Spore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
s. The stalk is brownish-yellow and tapers toward the base. The flesh is orange to salmon-coloured and turns violet when chewed.
Chroogomphus ochraceus (image) of North America is very similar in habit and appearance to C. rutilis, and the latter name has often been misapplied to C. ochraceus.
Chroogomphus vinicolor (image), another North American species, is likewise similar to C. rutilus, although C. vinicolor tends to be smaller. The cap color is variable in both species, with C. vinicolor being, as its scientific name suggests, more wine-colored while C. rutilus is usually more brown. The most distinctive differences between these three species are microscopic.
Other species within genus Chroogomphus include:
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Edibility
Chroogomphus rutilis, C. ochraceus, and C. vinicolor are edible and interchangeable for culinary purposes. They are not, however, regarded as flavorful and possess neither a distinctive taste nor odor. One food writer states:Further reading
- Arora D. (1986) Mushrooms Demystified. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. ISBN 0898151694
- Nilsson S. & Persson O. (1977) Fungi of Northern Europe 1: Larger Fungi (Excluding Gill Fungi). Penguin Books. ISBN 0140630058