Laccaria tortilis (Bolton) Cooke 1884
Details
Biostatus
Nomenclature
Classification
Vernacular names
Synonyms
Associations
Descriptions
This species is frequently described under Laccaria tortilis ([Bolt.] S. F. Gray) Cooke. The identity of L. tortilis is a matter of conjecture as interpretation of the species rests on Bolton's illustrations and brief description. Many mycologists retain the epithet tortilis for the large-spored Laccaria with bisporous basidia (Orton, 1960), but Singer (1952) considered that L. tortilis was a small-spored species and regarded Rea's (1922) interpretation as the correct one. Singer (1943) took up the epithet echinospora, which was originally applied to a South American species by Spegazzini, for this large-spored Laccaria. As the type of L. echinospora is still in existence. Singer's choice of names has been followed.
L. echinospora is widely distributed throughout temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and in temperate South America where it occurs under both native and introduced trees (Singer, 1952). The species is readily recognisable by the small, often distorted fructifications, bisporous basidia, and large coarsely echinulate spores. L. echinospora has not previously been recorded from New Zealand, and from the few collections it is not possible to decide whether it is an indigenous species. Stevenson (1964) stated that her record of L. tortilis from this country applied to a small-spored species.