Phellodon secretus (Basidiomycota), a new hydnaceous fungus from northern pine woodlands

Authors: Niemelä, Tuomo & Kinnunen, Juha & Renvall, Pertti & Schigel, Dmitry S.
Journal: Karstenia, Volume 43 (2003), Issue 2, pages 37-44.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.29203/ka.2003.391
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Key words: Aphyllophorales, Phellodon, hydnaceous fungi, taxonomy

Abstract: Phellodon secretus Niemelä & Kinnunen (Basidiomycota, Thelephorales) resemblesPhellodon connatus (Schultz : Fr.) P. Karst., but differs in having a thinner stipe, cottony soft pileus, and smaller and more globose spores. Its ecology is peculiar: it is found in dry, old-growth pine woodlands, growing in sheltered places under strongly decayed trunks or rootstocks of pine trees, where there is a gap of only a few centimeters between soil and wood. Basidiocarps emerge from humus as needle-like, ca. 1 mm thick, black stipes, and the pileus unfolds only after the stipe tip has contacted the overhanging wood. In its ecology and distribution the species resembles Hydnellum gracilipes (P. Karst.) P. Karst. It seems to be extremely rare, found in Northern boreal and Middle boreal vegetation zones, in areas with fairly continental climate.