Category Archives: Volume 14 1974

Notes on the genus Helvella, including the merging of the genus Wynella

Authors: Harmaja, Harri
Journal: Karstenia, Volume 14 (1974), pages 102-104.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.29203/ka.1974.94
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Abstract:  It is concluded that the few macroscopic features which alone separate or are commonly claimed to separate the genus Wynnella Boud. from Helvella Fr., are not valid at generic level, especially as all the microscopic characters, the anatomy of the excipulum and the spores, are commonly known to be exactly alike in ·these two genera. Wynnella is consequently merged with the older genus Helvella. For similar reasons the genus Underwoodia Peck is also considered congeneric with Helvella, which accords with the opinion of EcKBLAD (1968). The differences between the variety Helvella macropus (Fr.) Karst. v. brevis Peck and the typical H. macropus are considered to warrant the recognition of the variety at specific level. Three new combinations are made: Helvella silvicola (Beck in Sacc.) Harmaja, Helvella beatonii (Rifai) Harmaja, and Helvella brevis (Peck) Harmaja.

The association of Eupropolella vaccinii (Rehm) v. Höhn. and winter mortality of some ericaceous plants

Authors: Kurkela, Timo
Journal: Karstenia, Volume 14 (1974), pages 97-101.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.29203/ka.1974.93
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Abstract:  Ericaceous shrubs (Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) were killed by a snow blight during the winter. In the fall ascocarps of Eupropolella vaccinii were found on the leaves of shrubs which had died during the previous winter. When dead branches containing the fungus were used as inoculum, the disease was transferred to the healthy shrubs. In one more thoroughly studied case the communities of V. vitisidaea died within 4-5 years.

A revision of the generic limit between Clitocybe and Lepista

Authors: Harmaja, Harri
Journal: Karstenia, Volume 14 (1974), pages 82-92.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.29203/ka.1974.91
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Abstract:  On the basis of various spore characters, some already noted but partly neglected (e.g. cyanophilic spore wall) and some »new», it is concluded that Lepista (Fr.) W. G. Smith (Agaricales) is a valid genus, and independent of Clitocybe (Fr.) Staude. The current concept of Lepista is, however, somewhat altered, since the genus is considered to include species with smooth (under the light microcope) and deep yellow spores. The inclusion of the Clitocybe gilva group in Lepista is also considered justified. The essential characters of the amended genus Lepista are given, of which the strongly cyanophilic spore wall and the presence of a remarkable proportion of collapsed spores are emphasized. It seems that the type of Lepista, viz. Agaricus lepista Fr., can probably be appropriately typified, so that for the fungi concerned the generic name Lepista is thus indeed correct and available. Some other nomenclatural remarks are also made. Two new combinations are made in Lepista, the species in question having previously been referred to Clitocybe (the first of these even being one of the most famous species of that genus): Lepista nebularis (Fr.) Harmaja and Lepista subalpina (Big. & Smith) Harmaja.

Metsäsienien määrän mittaamisesta (Abstract: On the quantitative study of fungi in forest and bogs)

Authors: Ohenoja, Esteri
Journal: Karstenia, Volume 14 (1974), pages 46-53.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.29203/ka.1974.89
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Abstract:  On the quantitative study of fungi in forests and bogs. The literature on the quantitative study of fungi in forests and bogs is discussed. An investigation of mushroom productivity in the area of Oulu is reported. All fruiting bodies of larger fungi were collected on ten occasions during late summer and autumn in 1970, in each of three sample areas in spruce forest, pine heath and pine bog. The specimens were sorted, counted and weighed fresh and after drying, and the fungus biomass per hectare was calculated. The yield was greater, and the productive season began somewhat earlier in spruce forest than in pine heath, but the season lasted later in the autumn in pine heath. The yield of the bog was scant and uniform. On the whole the yield was slightly above average.

Godronia multispora Groves (Helotiales) and its pathogenicity to Betula verrucosa Ehr. And B. pubescens Ehr.

Authors: Kurkela, Timo
Journal: Karstenia, Volume 14 (1974), pages 33-45.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.29203/ka.1974.88
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Abstract:  A canker disease caused by Godronia multispora Gro es on Betula verrucosa Ehr. and B. pubescens Ehr. was described. The disease occurred most frequently in drained peatlands. B. pubescens was more resistant to the disease than B. verrucosa.

Notes on the ecology of Armillariella mellea in Finland

Authors: Hintikka, Veikko
Journal: Karstenia, Volume 14 (1974), pages 12-31.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.29203/ka.1974.86
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Abstract:  “The infection biology of Armillariella mellea in young pine seedlings is described. E idence supports the view that the bending of seedlings by snow in winter may be one of the main primary causes for the infection of root system& by rhizomorphs. In spruces, infection may take place from the soils by rhizomorphs, as well as from air by spores, or from stumps via root grafts. The external appearance of spruces suffering from heart rot is discussed.
Rhizomorphs occur ery abundantly in forest soils in South Finland, and based on their ability to regenerate after cutting, as well as on their ability to grow under laboratory conditions, the majority of those found in the soil seem to be living and capable of producing new rhizomorphs.
During the summer, freshly cut pieces of unbarked wood were colonized very rapidly in forest humus by rhizomorphs of Armillariella. The sheath-like rhizomorphs grew as fast as 5 mm a day in the phloem. Spruce phloem was infected most easily, pine, larch and birch wood quite easily, Populus, Salix, Sorbus, and Alnus wood more slowly, and wood of Juniperus not at all. When fresh unbarked wood was infected in the laboratory, a similar variation in resistance between tree species was obtained. The influence of temperature, terpenes and cyanogenic glycosides as well as carbon dioxide, on the resistance of different tree species is discussed.
The results are discussed in relation to the conditions existing in forest soils, and the independence of growing rhizomorph tips on oxygen and nutrients may have importance in the colonization of cambium and wood in waterlogged soils.”