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Clitocybe densifolia

[Basidiomycota > Agaricales > Tricholomataceae > Clitocybe ...]

by Michael Kuo

Clitocybe densifolia, also known as Lepista densifolia, is a medium-sized clitocyboid mushroom found in northern and montane regions in Europe and North America. Like a host of other clitocyboid species it is basically white, but its distinguishing features include gills that run down the stem, a relatively thick-fleshed cap that is not at all hygrophanous, a stem that stains pinkish brown when handled, and, under the microscope, very small and finely warty spores.

Similar species include Clitocybe subconnexa (see the linked page for a direct comparison), Clitocybe irina (larger, with larger spores), and Clitocybe glaucocana (gills not decurrent, pale lilac shades usually present, larger spores).

Description:

Ecology: Saprobic; growing scattered or, more commonly, gregariously or in troops in grassy areas near woods, or under conifers in northern and montane forests; summer and fall; originally described from Switzerland; widespread in Europe in Scandinavia and the Alps; reported from North America, primarily from northern and montane (including Appalachian) areas. The illustrated and described collection is from Italy.

Cap: 2.5–8 cm; convex, becoming broadly convex or broadly bell-shaped; bald; dry; white to buff.

Gills: Running down the stem or beginning to run down it; crowded; buff; short-gills frequent; developing pinkish shades.

Stem: 4–8 cm long; up to 1.5 cm thick; more or less equal; bald; white, discoloring pinkish brown where handled; basal mycelium white.

Flesh: Whitish; not changing when sliced, or staining pinkish brown.

Odor and Taste: Odor sweet. Taste not distinctive.

Spore Print: Reported as pinkish.

Microscopic Details: Spores 4–5 x 2.5–3.5 µm; ellipsoid; verruculose or appearing nearly smooth; hyaline in KOH; inamyloid; cyanophilic; adhering in twos, threes, and fours. Basidia 22–27 x 4–5 µm; subclavate; 4-sterigmate. Cystidia not found. Pileipellis a cutis of smooth, hyaline elements 2.5–5 µm wide, smooth, hyaline in KOH. Clamp connections present.


REFERENCES: (J. Favre, 1948) H. E. Bigelow & A. H. Smith, 1969. (Bigelow, 1982; Gulden, 1983; Breitenbach & Kränzlin, 1991; Gregory, 2007; Christensen & Gulden, 2018; Læssøe & Petersen, 2019; Kibby, 2020.) Herb. Kuo 09221801.


This site contains no information about the edibility or toxicity of mushrooms.


 

Clitocybe densifolia

Clitocybe densifolia

Clitocybe densifolia
Spores



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Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2022, April). Clitocybe densifolia. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/clitocybe_densifolia.html