Possibly Phallus hadriani

[FungiJohn]

Hello all

I have a feeling that my recent image of Phallus impudicus in the gallery may in fact be Phallus hadriani. Reference 'Fungi of Switzerland' Vol 2 Page 400 - Phallus hadriani 527

There were so many species found at Clumber during the weekend that I only took a couple of images just for recording purposes. The more I look at this the more I feel it may be P. hadriani.

If anyone has any experience with this species can they advise please.

Many thanks … a quite excited FJ

[cybershot]

Having a similar image from this year in my gallery I too am keen to know the outcome of this query:



I thought that Phallus impudicus and Phallus hadriani differed only in the color of the volva (white in the former, purplish in the latter)

David

[Fungus Ken]

In the monograph on gasteromycetes by Kew Phallus hadrianii is known as the Dune Stinkhorn, because this species is supposedly confined to sand dunes in this country.

"Habitat: restricted to sandy soil, mainly sand dunes.

Distribution: locally common in Britain in suitable dune systems. More common in southern Europe where it can occur in other habitats."

The map shows a purely coastal distribution for this species for the records they had at the time the book was published.

Other than the peridium discolouring "pinkish mauve" on exposure in P. hadriani, the key refers to its pileal disk having a crenulated margin, while P. impudicus has a pileal disk with a non-crenulated margin.

So I guess the question is, was the peridium genuinely pink (rather than just a bit discoloured) and did the habitat mimic a coastal dune system?

I can see why John might think P. hadriani for the first specimen, although the habitat would tend to suggest this is unlikely. I think the peridium on David's specimen is just discoloured, but not pink, so this is typical P. impudicus.

Ken

[cybershot]

I'll happily go along with that Ken. Many thanks.

David

[FungiJohn]

Many thanks for your reply Ken.

It's a species I have often looked for in sand dunes but with no luck. Out of the many hundreds found at Clumber Park this one just seemed a little different. If it had been any other species it would have probably been taken home for further work.

Thanks again ... much appreciated

John