The Tricholomataceae

[ Basidiomycetes > Agaricales . . . ]

by Michael Kuo

The gilled mushrooms with white or pale spore prints would be relatively easy to identify to genus if it weren't for the Tricholomataceae--a group of mushrooms containing many diverse, and sometimes baffling, genera. The truth is, the Tricholomataceae family is more of a taxonomical convenience than a "natural" group, consisting of mushrooms that are "brought together more on a set of negative characters than any one positive uniting factor" (Stuntz, 1973). In other words, if your pale-spored, gilled mushroom is not an Amanita, a Limacella, a Lepiota, a Russula, a Milky Cap, or a Waxy Cap, it must belong in the Tricholomataceae. The result is some rather strange bedfellows.

Because the Tricholomataceae was always more of a taxonomical dumping ground than a natural family, it should come as no surprise that recent DNA studies have disrupted it entirely. Many new families, including the Omphalotaceae, the Physalacriaceae, the Marasmiaceae, the Mycenaceae (and others) have been erected as a result of genetic analysis--and some of these families contain mushrooms that used to belong outside the "Tricholomtaceae." Family status is currently undecided for many mushrooms in the "Family Formerly Known as the Tricholomataceae," and various "clades" group together the mushrooms not yet granted (insert)-aceae status. On top of the genetic studies, microscopic analysis has separated out the Xerulaceae on the basis of sarcodimitic tissues (see the photo on the page for Gerronema strombodes). To see the long list of genera that are officially included in the Tricholomataceae at the moment, click here.

All of this is very important if you are thinking about the evolution of mushrooms, but it matters little from an identification standpoint, since the new families and clades are not particularly recognizable on the basis of field characters. I do not see any identification method more direct and reliable than the "old one": after obtaining a white or pale (but not pink) spore print, eliminate Amanita, Limacella, Lepiota and allied genera, Russula, Lactarius, and the waxy caps--then key out what remains. This is the strategy used in the Key to Pale-Spored Gilled Mushrooms, which includes the mushrooms belonging to what used to be called the "Tricholomataceae."

Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2004, November). The Tricholomataceae. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/tricholomataceae.html