Armillaria ID

[watsthat]

I am in the process of filing last years pics, (as we do when its a blizzard outside) and I have been stretching my mycological muscles for exercise

Re Armillaria sp I notice that, in the Gallery there are many pictures labelled A. mellea. Would I be correct in thinking that these have been identified by confirmation from a higher body like Kew or other microscopic examination. I ask this question because upon reading up on the various species, it seems that they are incredibly variable and there is little difference between all of the ringed Armillaria species.

I think I will label this one as Armillaria sp. or am I mistaken in my thinking.

Pete

[diggleken]

Originally Posted by watsthat

I am in the process of filing last years pics, (as we do when its a blizzard outside) and I have been stretching my mycological muscles for exercise

Re Armillaria sp I notice that, in the Gallery there are many pictures labelled A. mellea. Would I be correct in thinking that these have been identified by confirmation from a higher body like Kew or other microscopic examination. I ask this question because upon reading up on the various species, it seems that they are incredibly variable and there is little difference between all of the ringed Armillaria species.

I think I will label this one as Armillaria sp. or am I mistaken in my thinking.

Pete

Hi Pete, I'll have a stab at this one from my limited knowledge - I dont think many in the Gallery have a Kew ID verification - thats normally rarer or more unusual stuff thats been privately submitted to them to be certain, the labelling/titling on WAB are pretty much as are put on when submitted - just cos in Gallery, good though it is, doesnt mean its necessarily accurate.
Armillaria used to be lumped as one sp I think, but are now recognised as a few different ones, which exhibit different characteristics, such as slim or chunky stipe and so on.
They are also deceptive during growth I find besides the spp differences!
I should stick to spp label unless certain.
Cheers
Ken

[Phil Dye]

Hello Pete and Ken,

Armillaria mellea was the name given to what became known as the Armillaria mellea complex, in which 5 forms were identified. these were labelled A-E. In the 90's they were each assigned to their own biological species which are A.mellea, A.gallica, A.ostoyae, A.borealis and A.cepistipes. Each has different host preferences and different levels of pathogenicity.

Best regards

B

[watsthat]

Thanks Phil and Ken for your welcome advice. A bit more of the jigsaw falls into place but its a blinking big jigsaw I will try to note the host tree in future

Pete

[lipase]

Hi guys,
would I be safe in saying we can rule out Armillaria tabescens since it would appear from the photo that when it opens out it will have a ring?

kind regards,
Jack

*edit* Ok I've just realised that tabescens wasn't on the table in the first place; I misread your post Phil