Coprinellus impatiens
Encyclopedia
Coprinellus impatiens is a species of fungus
in the Psathyrellaceae
family. First described in 1821, it has been classified variously in the genera Psathyrella
, Pseudocoprinus, Coprinarius, and Coprinus
, before molecular phylogenetics reaffirmed it as a Coprinellus
species in 2001. The fungus is found in North America and Europe, where the mushrooms grow on the ground in deciduous forests. The fruit bodies
have buff caps
that are up to 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter, held by slender whitish stems
that can be up to 10 cm (3.9 in) tall. Several other Coprinopsis
species that resemble C. impatiens may be distinguished by differences in appearance, habit
, or spore morphology
.
in his Systema Mycologicum. In 1886, Lucien Quélet
transferred the species to Coprinarius (a defunct genus now synonymous with Panaeolus
) and then to Coprinus
a couple of years later in his Flore Mycologique de la France. In 1936, Robert Kühner
segregated the genus Pseudocoprinus from Coprinus, including species that did not have deliquescent gills (that is, gills that "melt" into liquid), and he included Coprinus impatiens in this generic transfer. He later changed his mind about the taxonomic
separation of Coprinus and Pseudocoprinus. Gillet
transferred the species to Psathyrella
in 1936. In 1938 Jakob Emanuel Lange
published the new combination Coprinellus impatiens. Despite the taxonomic shuffling, the species was popularly known as Coprinus impatiens until 2001, when a large-scale phylogenetic analysis resulted in the splitting of the genus Coprinus into several smaller genera, and the authors confirmed the validity of the generic placement in Coprinellus
. The specific epithet impatiens is derived from the Latin
word for "impatient".
A 2005 phylogenetics
study proposed that C. impatiens was sister (closely related on the phylogenetic tree
) to a large Psathyrella clade
, and that consequently, the genus Coprinellus was polyphyletic. A later (2008) study suggested, however, that these results were due to an artifact of taxon sampling—not enough species were analyzed to adequately represent the genetic variation in the genera. The 2008 study demonstrated that Coprinellus, including C. impatiens, was monophyletic, descended from a common ancestor. In their analysis, C. impatiens was most closely related to C. congregatus
, C. bisporus
, C. callinus
, and C. heterosetulosus
.
of the fruit bodies
is initially egg-shaped, then conical to convex before flattening out, reaching diameters between 1.8 to 4 cm (0.708661417322835 to 1.6 in). It has deep narrow grooves reaching almost as far as the center of the cap. The surface color is a pale buff, tawny
or cinnamon towards the center, but the color loses intensity when the mushroom is dry. The flesh
is whitish, thin, fragile and barely deliquescent (auto-digesting). The gills are initially buff, then turn grayish-brown. They are either free from attachment to the stem
, or adnexed, meaning only a small portion of the gill is attached. The stem is whitish, very slender, and more or less equal in width throughout its length, or slightly thicker at the base; its dimensions are 7 to 10 cm (2.8 to 3.9 in) by 0.2 to 0.4 cm (0.078740157480315 to 0.15748031496063 in) thick. The stem surface of young specimens are pruinose—appearing to be coated with a minute layer of fine white particles; this eventually is sloughed off, leaving a smooth or silky surface. The odor and taste of the fruit bodies are not distinctive. The gills of this species do not autodigest with age, or barely do so; the fruit bodies tend to become more fragile with age.
The spore print
is dark brown. The spores are smooth, ellipsoid or almond-shaped, with a germ pore
; they measure 9–12 by 5–6 μm
. The spore-bearing cells, the basidia, are four-spored and tetramorphic (the spores lie on several different levels, and mature at different times). The cheilocystidia (cystidia found on the gill edge) are roughly spherical, 20–35 μm broad, or lageniform (flask-shaped), 36–64 by 10–15 μm, with the apex often rather acute, about 3–5 μm wide. Pleurocystidia (cystidia found on the gill face) are absent in this species.
Coprinellus disseminatus
resembles C. impatiens, but may be distinguished by its slightly larger fruit body, somewhat deliquescent gills, and tendency to fruit in smaller groups on the ground, rather than on or around rotting wood. Also, C. disseminatus has smaller spores than C. impatiens, typically 6.6–9.7 by 4.1–5.8 μm. C. eurysporus is similar to C. disseminatus but usually grows in groups on fallen branches, and has broader spores that measure 8.3–10.3 by 6.7–8.4 µm. C. hiascens
usually grows in small dense clumps, has narrower spores (typically 9–11 by 4.5–5.5 μm, and produces smaller fruit bodies.
region of the United States, it is found in Oregon
and Idaho
. Fruit bodies grow solitarily, or rarely in small bundles, on forest litter
in deciduous forests, especially ones dominated by beech
.
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
in the Psathyrellaceae
Psathyrellaceae
The Psathyrellaceae are a family of dark-spored agarics that generally have rather soft, fragile fruiting bodies, and are characterized by black or dark brown, rarely reddish, or even pastel colored spore prints. About 50% of the species produce fruiting bodies that dissolve into ink-like ooze...
family. First described in 1821, it has been classified variously in the genera Psathyrella
Psathyrella
Psathyrella is a large genus of about 400 fungi, and is similar to the genera Coprinellus, Coprinopsis, Coprinus and Panaeolus, usually with a thin cap and white or yellowish white hollow stem. But the caps do not self digest as do those of Coprinellus and Coprinopsis. Some also have brown spores...
, Pseudocoprinus, Coprinarius, and Coprinus
Coprinus
Coprinus is a small genus of mushrooms consisting of Coprinus comatus and several of its close relatives. Until 2001, Coprinus was a large genus consisting of all agaric species in which the lamellae autodigested to release their spores...
, before molecular phylogenetics reaffirmed it as a Coprinellus
Coprinellus
Coprinellus is a genus of mushrooms in the family Psathyrellaceae. The genus was first described by Petter Karsten in 1879.-External links:* at Index Fungorum...
species in 2001. The fungus is found in North America and Europe, where the mushrooms grow on the ground in deciduous forests. The fruit bodies
Basidiocarp
In fungi, a basidiocarp, basidiome or basidioma , is the sporocarp of a basidiomycete, the multicellular structure on which the spore-producing hymenium is borne. Basidiocarps are characteristic of the hymenomycetes; rusts and smuts do not produce such structures...
have buff caps
Pileus (mycology)
The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium. The hymenium may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus...
that are up to 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter, held by slender whitish stems
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
that can be up to 10 cm (3.9 in) tall. Several other Coprinopsis
Coprinopsis
Coprinopsis is a genus of mushrooms in the family Psathyrellaceae. Coprinopsis was split out of the genus Coprinus based on molecular data. The species Coprinopsis cinerea is a model organism for mushroom-forming basidiomycota, and its genome has recently been sequenced completely....
species that resemble C. impatiens may be distinguished by differences in appearance, habit
Habit (biology)
Habit, when used in the context of biology, refers to the instinctive actions of animals and the natural tendencies of plants.In zoology, this term most often refers to specific behavioral characteristics, even when directly related to physiology...
, or spore morphology
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
.
Taxonomy and phylogeny
The species was first described in 1821 as Agaricus impatiens by Swedish mycologist Elias Magnus FriesElias Magnus Fries
-External links:*, Authors of fungal names, Mushroom, the Journal of Wild Mushrooming.*...
in his Systema Mycologicum. In 1886, Lucien Quélet
Lucien Quélet
thumb|Lucien QuéletLucien Quélet was a French mycologist and naturalist who discovered several species and was the founder of the Société mycologique de France, a society devoted to mycological studies....
transferred the species to Coprinarius (a defunct genus now synonymous with Panaeolus
Panaeolus
Panaeolus is a genus of small, black-spored, saprotrophic agarics. The word Panaeolus is Greek for "all variegated", alluding to the spotted gills of the mushrooms produced.- Characteristics :...
) and then to Coprinus
Coprinus
Coprinus is a small genus of mushrooms consisting of Coprinus comatus and several of its close relatives. Until 2001, Coprinus was a large genus consisting of all agaric species in which the lamellae autodigested to release their spores...
a couple of years later in his Flore Mycologique de la France. In 1936, Robert Kühner
Robert Kühner
Robert Kühner, born Paris 15 March 1903, died Lyon 27 February 1996, was a French mycologist most notable for reviewing many agaric genera.-References:...
segregated the genus Pseudocoprinus from Coprinus, including species that did not have deliquescent gills (that is, gills that "melt" into liquid), and he included Coprinus impatiens in this generic transfer. He later changed his mind about the taxonomic
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
separation of Coprinus and Pseudocoprinus. Gillet
Claude Casimir Gillet
Claude Casimir Gillet, born 19 May 1806, died 1896, was a French botanist and mycologist. He initially trained as a medical doctor and veterinarian.-Publications:* Claude-Casimir Gillet, * Claude-Casimir Gillet, , 230 pp...
transferred the species to Psathyrella
Psathyrella
Psathyrella is a large genus of about 400 fungi, and is similar to the genera Coprinellus, Coprinopsis, Coprinus and Panaeolus, usually with a thin cap and white or yellowish white hollow stem. But the caps do not self digest as do those of Coprinellus and Coprinopsis. Some also have brown spores...
in 1936. In 1938 Jakob Emanuel Lange
Jakob Emanuel Lange
Jakob Emanuel Lange , was a Danish mycologist who studied the systematics of gilled mushrooms.His most well-known work is Flora Agaricina Danica, a five-volume plate work on the Agaricales of Denmark....
published the new combination Coprinellus impatiens. Despite the taxonomic shuffling, the species was popularly known as Coprinus impatiens until 2001, when a large-scale phylogenetic analysis resulted in the splitting of the genus Coprinus into several smaller genera, and the authors confirmed the validity of the generic placement in Coprinellus
Coprinellus
Coprinellus is a genus of mushrooms in the family Psathyrellaceae. The genus was first described by Petter Karsten in 1879.-External links:* at Index Fungorum...
. The specific epithet impatiens is derived from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
word for "impatient".
A 2005 phylogenetics
Phylogenetics
In biology, phylogenetics is the study of evolutionary relatedness among groups of organisms , which is discovered through molecular sequencing data and morphological data matrices...
study proposed that C. impatiens was sister (closely related on the phylogenetic tree
Phylogenetic tree
A phylogenetic tree or evolutionary tree is a branching diagram or "tree" showing the inferred evolutionary relationships among various biological species or other entities based upon similarities and differences in their physical and/or genetic characteristics...
) to a large Psathyrella clade
Cladistics
Cladistics is a method of classifying species of organisms into groups called clades, which consist of an ancestor organism and all its descendants . For example, birds, dinosaurs, crocodiles, and all descendants of their most recent common ancestor form a clade...
, and that consequently, the genus Coprinellus was polyphyletic. A later (2008) study suggested, however, that these results were due to an artifact of taxon sampling—not enough species were analyzed to adequately represent the genetic variation in the genera. The 2008 study demonstrated that Coprinellus, including C. impatiens, was monophyletic, descended from a common ancestor. In their analysis, C. impatiens was most closely related to C. congregatus
Coprinellus congregatus
Coprinellus congregatus is a species of mushroom in the Psathyrellaceae family. It was first described in 1782 as Agaricus congregatus by French mycologist Jean Baptiste François Pierre Bulliard, and later transferred to the genus Coprinellus in 1879 by Petter Karsten.-See also:*List of Coprinellus...
, C. bisporus
Coprinellus bisporus
Coprinellus bisporus is a species of mushroom in the Psathyrellaceae family. It was first described as Coprinus bisporus by mycologist Jakob Emanuel Lange in 1915, and later transferred to the genus Coprinellus in 2001 on the basis of phylogenetic analysis.-External Links:...
, C. callinus
Coprinellus callinus
Coprinellus callinus is a species of mushroom in the Psathyrellaceae family. It was first described asCoprinus callinus by mycologists M. Lange and Alexander H. Smith in 1952, and later transferred to the genus Coprinellus in 2001.-See also:...
, and C. heterosetulosus
Coprinellus heterosetulosus
Coprinellus heterosetulosus is a species of mushroom in the Psathyrellaceae family. It was given its current name in 2001.-See also:*List of Coprinellus species...
.
Description
The capPileus (mycology)
The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium. The hymenium may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus...
of the fruit bodies
Basidiocarp
In fungi, a basidiocarp, basidiome or basidioma , is the sporocarp of a basidiomycete, the multicellular structure on which the spore-producing hymenium is borne. Basidiocarps are characteristic of the hymenomycetes; rusts and smuts do not produce such structures...
is initially egg-shaped, then conical to convex before flattening out, reaching diameters between 1.8 to 4 cm (0.708661417322835 to 1.6 in). It has deep narrow grooves reaching almost as far as the center of the cap. The surface color is a pale buff, tawny
Tawny (color)
Tawny is a yellowish brown color. The word means "tan-colored," from Anglo-Norman tauné "associated with the brownish-yellow of tanned leather," from Old French tané "to tan hides," from Medieval Latin tannare, from tannum "crushed oak bark," used in tanning leather, probably from a Celtic source...
or cinnamon towards the center, but the color loses intensity when the mushroom is dry. The flesh
Trama (mycology)
In mycology trama is a term for the inner, fleshy portion of a mushroom's basidiocarp, or fruit body. It is distinct from the outer layer of tissue, known as the pileipellis or cuticle, and from the spore-bearing tissue layer known as the hymenium....
is whitish, thin, fragile and barely deliquescent (auto-digesting). The gills are initially buff, then turn grayish-brown. They are either free from attachment to the stem
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
, or adnexed, meaning only a small portion of the gill is attached. The stem is whitish, very slender, and more or less equal in width throughout its length, or slightly thicker at the base; its dimensions are 7 to 10 cm (2.8 to 3.9 in) by 0.2 to 0.4 cm (0.078740157480315 to 0.15748031496063 in) thick. The stem surface of young specimens are pruinose—appearing to be coated with a minute layer of fine white particles; this eventually is sloughed off, leaving a smooth or silky surface. The odor and taste of the fruit bodies are not distinctive. The gills of this species do not autodigest with age, or barely do so; the fruit bodies tend to become more fragile with age.
The spore print
Spore print
thumb|300px|right|Making a spore print of the mushroom Volvariella volvacea shown in composite: mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; cap removed after 24 hours showing pinkish-tan spore print...
is dark brown. The spores are smooth, ellipsoid or almond-shaped, with a germ pore
Germ pore
A germ pore is a small pore in the outer wall of a fungal spore through which the germ tube exits upon germination. It can be apical or eccentric in its location, and, on light microscopy, may be visualized as a lighter coloured area on the cell wall....
; they measure 9–12 by 5–6 μm
Micrometre
A micrometer , is by definition 1×10-6 of a meter .In plain English, it means one-millionth of a meter . Its unit symbol in the International System of Units is μm...
. The spore-bearing cells, the basidia, are four-spored and tetramorphic (the spores lie on several different levels, and mature at different times). The cheilocystidia (cystidia found on the gill edge) are roughly spherical, 20–35 μm broad, or lageniform (flask-shaped), 36–64 by 10–15 μm, with the apex often rather acute, about 3–5 μm wide. Pleurocystidia (cystidia found on the gill face) are absent in this species.
Similar species
Coprinellus disseminatus
Coprinellus disseminatus is a species of mushroom in the Psathyrellaceae family. Unlike most other Coprinoid mushrooms, C. disseminatus does not dissolve into black ink in maturity. The species was given its current name in 1939 by Jakob Emanuel Lange...
resembles C. impatiens, but may be distinguished by its slightly larger fruit body, somewhat deliquescent gills, and tendency to fruit in smaller groups on the ground, rather than on or around rotting wood. Also, C. disseminatus has smaller spores than C. impatiens, typically 6.6–9.7 by 4.1–5.8 μm. C. eurysporus is similar to C. disseminatus but usually grows in groups on fallen branches, and has broader spores that measure 8.3–10.3 by 6.7–8.4 µm. C. hiascens
Coprinellus hiascens
Coprinellus hiascens is a species of mushroom in the Psathyrellaceae family. First described as Agaricus hiascens by mycologist Elias Magnus Fries in 1821, it was later transferred to the genus Coprinellus in 2001.-See also:...
usually grows in small dense clumps, has narrower spores (typically 9–11 by 4.5–5.5 μm, and produces smaller fruit bodies.
Habitat and distribution
Coprinellus impatiens is found in North America and Europe (including Germany, Poland, and the Ukraine) including northern Turkey. In the Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
region of the United States, it is found in Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
and Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. Fruit bodies grow solitarily, or rarely in small bundles, on forest litter
Forest floor
The forest floor, also called detritus, duff and the O horizon, is one of the most distinctive features of a forest ecosystem. It mainly consists of shed vegetative parts, such as leaves, branches, bark, and stems, existing in various stages of decomposition above the soil surface...
in deciduous forests, especially ones dominated by beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
.
External links
- Mushroom Observer Images