Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Snaketongue Truffleclub

Facts
Common Name: 
Snaketongue Truffleclub
Scientific Name: 
Cordyceps ophioglossoides
Typical Size (mm): 
3 - 8 cm in length.
Cap Diameter (mm): 
0.5 - 1.0 cm wide (stroma).
Cap or Bracket Thickness (mm): 
0.5cm
Stem Height (mm): 
1 - 2cm
Stem Diameter (mm): 
0.3 - 0.4cm
Information
Description: 

A small brownish to black club shaped head on a slender yellowish brown stem.

Distribution: 

Throughout Great Britain, but somewhat infrequent.

Habitat: 

Typically fund in small groups in coniferous, and occasionally deciduous woodland.

Gills: 

N/A

Spores: 

(8) hyaline, smooth, very elongated filiform, parallel spores. 150-200 x 2-3microns.

Paraphyses absent.

Additional Notes: 

This fungus is parasitic on False Truffle fungi -  Elaphomyces muricatus & Elaphomyces granulatus

Second image shows C.ophioglossoides parasitising Elaphomyces muricatus.