Melanoleuca verrucipes?

Lancashire Lad · #1 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 10:32 PM

Found a couple of these today and am fairly convinced they are Warty Cavalier, Melanoleuca verrucipes, but would appreciate confirmation/other.

The smaller one was in the best condition - stipe height about 25mm, cap diameter also about 25mm.

The larger one was about 40mm tall, with a cap diameter also about 40mm.

There was a third, but only the stipe and a small part of the cap remained. This is shown laid down in the second photo, as it does have the characteristic dark flecks on the stipe.

All were found very close together, growing in a (thinly) woodchip covered area of a local mixed woodland.

ID confirmation/other would be much appreciated.

Regards
Mike.

NickCantle · #2 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 10:51 PM

Excuse me for being so rude but...

YOU LUCKY GIT!

Excellently evaluated, and you're correct in your ID. Such a distinctive species with the classic Melanoleuca umbo and gill attachment. The substrate you've found it on is spot on.

This is a very rare fungus in this country Mike, but looks like it's spreading!

Nice one

Lancashire Lad · #3 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Excuse me for being so rude but...

YOU LUCKY GIT!

Excellently evaluated, and you're correct in your ID. Such a distinctive species with the classic Melanoleuca umbo and gill attachment. The substrate you've found it on is spot on.

This is a very rare fungus in this country Mike, but looks like it's spreading!

Nice one

Woohooo! - jumps around the room with excitement

(I was pretty confident this time, but didn't want to to be too jubilant in case it turned out to be something that's on every bit of woodchip in the land

).

Regards
Mike.

Lancashire Lad · #4 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

As this is allegedly something of a rarity in Britain, I decided to go back to the site with my dedicated macro lens, to (hopefully) get a few better photos.

Unfortunately, the weather was somewhat inclement first thing this morning, but the difference in shape since yesterday is quite marked.

This is the smaller one (as in the above photo from yesterday).

Regards,
Mike.

NickCantle · #5 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 06:52 PM

Textbook Melanoleuca shape

Lancashire Lad · #6 (**permalink**) 13-07-2009, 08:47 PM

Checking FRDBI, only a few records are described for this in Great Britain, (all in the South East), so I've e-mailed the BMS to ask if this find should be properly recorded.

They haven't replied as yet, but could anyone advise whether they will need an actual fruitbody, (or if the photos will suffice)?

If a fruitbody is needed I'll have to try to get back to the site pronto, before the slugs finish their breakfast.

Regards,
Mike.

Lancashire Lad · #7 (**permalink**) 14-07-2009, 09:56 PM

I walked past the site of these again today, and there are now several additional (tiny) fruitbodies emerging from the woodchip.

This bodes well for the possibility of spreading the fungus, and/or allowing it to make a return appearance here if the spores manage to develop & grow.

I collected the now sun-dried fruitbody of the smaller one in the photos above, along with one of the newly emerging ones, just in case the BMS want them to verify the record.

The largest fruitbody, along with the stipe and cap remnants of the third one, have now completely disappeared.

Regards,
Mike.

forager2 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011, 06:10 PM

Mike,

A friend of ime brought me a fungi to identify and I didn't know what it was. Having had it checked out it turns out to be a Melanoleuca verricupes, from Lancashire in my friends garden. Did you send yours away? Is it worth sending this as well with it being rare?

Jane

Chris Yeates · #9 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forager2

Mike,

A friend of ime brought me a fungi to identify and I didn't know what it was. Having had it checked out it turns out to be a Melanoleuca verricupes, from Lancashire in my friends garden. Did you send yours away? Is it worth sending this as well with it being rare?

Jane

hi Jane

seeing you're based in Yorkshire I started getting excited

- then I read on

- and it gets worse "A friend . . . . from Lancashire . . . ."

have you no shame?

Chris

Lancashire Lad · #10 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forager2

Mike,

A friend of ime brought me a fungi to identify and I didn't know what it was. Having had it checked out it turns out to be a Melanoleuca verricupes, from Lancashire in my friends garden. Did you send yours away? Is it worth sending this as well with it being rare?

Jane

It does seem to be slowly on the increase, but I do think it would be worth sending for record purposes. - I'm only aware of one other record from Lancashire since my find was made.

I'd suggest that you send (carefully dried specimen(s) to Mr. Bryn Dentinger
at Kew. - His publicised contact e-mail address is:- b.dentinger at kew.org

Ideally you need to send all relevant information with the samples, i.e - the location name and grid ref. of the find, substrate found on, number of fruitbodies found etc. etc.

Regards,
Mike.