Thelephora palmata
Encyclopedia
Thelephora palmata is a species
of clavarioid fungus in the Thelephoraceae
family. It is found in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
, as Clavaria palmata. Elias Fries transferred it to the genus Thelephora
in 1821. It is known by the common name
stinking earthfan.
of T. palmata is a coral-like tuft that is repeatedly branched from a central stalk, reaching dimensions of 3.5 – tall. The branches of the fruit body end in spoon- to fan-shaped tips that are frequently fringed or grooved. The branches of the fruit body are initially whitish in color, but gradually turn gray to lilac-brown in maturity, although the tips remain whitish. The fungus produces a purple-brown spore print
. The odor of the fruit body is quite unpleasant, and it has been called "a candidate for stinkiest fungus in the forest". The unpleasant odor intensifies after drying.
The spore
s are purple, angular with lobes, and spiny with spines measuring 0.5–1.5 µm
long; the overal dimensions of the spores are 8–12 by 7–9 µm. Spores contain one or two oil drops. The basidia (spore-bearing cells) measure 70–100 by 9–12 µm, and have sterigmata that are 2–4 µm thick by 7–12 µm long.
Thelephora anthocephala is somewhat similar in appearance, but can be distinguished by branches that taper upward, branch tips that are flattened (instead of spoon-like), and the lack of a fetid odor.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of clavarioid fungus in the Thelephoraceae
Thelephoraceae
Thelephoraceae are a family of fungi in the order Thelephorales. This grouping of mushrooms is commonly known as the "leathery earthfans"....
family. It is found in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
Taxonomy
The species was first described in 1772 by Italian naturalist Giovanni Antonio ScopoliGiovanni Antonio Scopoli
Giovanni Antonio Scopoli was an Italian physician and naturalist.-Biography:...
, as Clavaria palmata. Elias Fries transferred it to the genus Thelephora
Thelephora
Thelephora is a genus of fungi within the Thelephoraceae family. The genus has a widespread distribution and contains about 50 species. Fruit bodies of species are leathery, usually brownish at maturity, and range in shape from coral-like tufts to having distinct caps...
in 1821. It is known by the common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
stinking earthfan.
Description
The fruit bodyBasidiocarp
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...
of T. palmata is a coral-like tuft that is repeatedly branched from a central stalk, reaching dimensions of 3.5 – tall. The branches of the fruit body end in spoon- to fan-shaped tips that are frequently fringed or grooved. The branches of the fruit body are initially whitish in color, but gradually turn gray to lilac-brown in maturity, although the tips remain whitish. The fungus produces a purple-brown 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...
. The odor of the fruit body is quite unpleasant, and it has been called "a candidate for stinkiest fungus in the forest". The unpleasant odor intensifies after drying.
The 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 are purple, angular with lobes, and spiny with spines measuring 0.5–1.5 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...
long; the overal dimensions of the spores are 8–12 by 7–9 µm. Spores contain one or two oil drops. The basidia (spore-bearing cells) measure 70–100 by 9–12 µm, and have sterigmata that are 2–4 µm thick by 7–12 µm long.
Thelephora anthocephala is somewhat similar in appearance, but can be distinguished by branches that taper upward, branch tips that are flattened (instead of spoon-like), and the lack of a fetid odor.