Eight Unrecorded Higher Fungi Identified at the Korea National Arboretum

Abstract

A total of 560 higher fungal specimens were collected in the Gwangneung Forest from May to November of 2007. All of the collected specimens were identified; categorized into 8 classes, 19 orders, 69 families, 165 genera, and 296 species; and deposited in the herbarium of the Korea National Arboretum. Of the identified specimens, 8 were confirmed as being new to Korea and are as follows: Cudoniella acicularis (Korean name: Jeombakisotugubeoseos), Discina ancilis (Korean name: Jomwonbanbeoseos), Helvella costifera (Korean name: Galbidaeanjangbeoseos), Entoloma cephalotrichum (Korean name: Jomkkaltaejiweodaebeoseos), Mycena leptocephala (Korean name: Yalbeungatweojuleumbeoseos), Naematoloma gracile (Korean name: Ganeundaegaeambeoseos), Sistotrema octosporum (Korean name: Hweosekcheonbeoseos), and Hydnellum peckii (Korean name: Pijeopkkaltaegibeoseos).

The Korea National Arboretum (KNA) is located in the Gwangneung Forest, between Namyangju-si and Pocheon-si, in the Gyeonggi Province. The KNA has 15 specialized plant gardens. The woody plants of 1,863 species and the herbaceous plants of 1,481 species have been maintained in these gardens for 500 yr. The KNA has an environment suitable to fungal growth. Despite the floral diversity at the KNA, an intensive study to identify the resident fungal flora had never been conducted. Thus, regular field trips were made to this area over 32 days from May to November of 2007 to collect fresh fungal specimens for identification. A total of 560 fungal specimens were collected, and all specimens were taxonomically identified to the species level on the basis of their morphological and microscopic characteristics. Of the identified species, 8 species were identified as unrecorded taxa in Korea.

Materials and Methods

The macroscopic and microscopic features of carphophores were observed, the fruit bodies were measured, and the characteristics of the pileus, lamellae, stipe, and other features were investigated based on the method described by Largent et al. [1]. The microscopic characteristics were sketched using a drawing tube, and more than 30 measurements were made to ascertain the average dimensions of each characteristic. The color terms described previously by Kornerup and Wanscher [2] were used. All specimens examined are preserved in the herbarium of the KNA.

Taxonomy

Various identification systems were used for the general taxonomic classification and to describe the identified taxa. The system of Dennis [3] was used for the Ascomycetous fungi, that of Singer [4] was used for the Agaricales fungi, and that of Donk [5] was used for the Polyporales fungi. The illustrations of Breitenbach and Kränzlin [6], of Gilbertson and Ryvarden [7], and of Imazeki and Hongo [8] were referenced to aid in the taxonomic characterization of general fungi.

In accordance with modern systematics, the latest scientific names were considered for identification of Korean higher fungi. However, few morphological characteristics of Korean higher fungi were found to be different from those of other countries. Therefore, these typical morphological characteristics were taken into consideration during the identification of the species.

Results and Discussion

A total of 560 fungal specimens were collected, all of which were identified to the species level. The fungi were categorized into 8 classes, 19 orders, 69 families, 165 genera, and 296 species. Eight of the species were confirmed as being new to Korea. These 8 species are identified below, and their macroscopic and microscopic characteristics are described.

Cudoniella acicularis (Bull.) J. Schröt (Korean name: Jeombakisotugubeoseos) (Fig. 1A)

Fig. 1.

Carphophores of some previously unrecorded species of Korean fungi. A, Cudoniella acicularis; B, Discina ancilis; C, Helvella costifera; D, Entoloma cephalotrichum; E~F, Mycena leptocephala; G~H, Naematoloma gracile; I, Sistotrema octosporum; J, Hydnellum peckii.

Cohn, Krypt.-Fl. Schlesien (Breslau) 3.2(1~2): 21 (1893) [1908].

Synonyms: Fungus minimus Ray, Syn. pl.: 9 (1689); Helotium aciculare (Bull.) Pers., Syn. Fung. Amer. Bor.: 677 (1801); Helvella acicularis Bull., Herbier de la France 10: tab. 473, Fig. 1 (1790); Leotia acicularis Pers., (1800); Peziza acicularis (Bull.) Fr., Syst. Mycol. (Lundae) 2(1): 156 (1822); Peziza acicularis var. acicularis (Bull.) Fr., Syst. Mycol. (Lundae) 2(1): 156 (1822); Sarea acicularis (Bull.) Schwein., Trans. Am. Phil. Soc., New Series 4: 178 (1832).

Macroscopic features

Fruiting body: 1~5 mm broad, cup-shaped to turbinate when young (soon expanded), becomes distinctly stiped with a planopulvinate cap as it matures. Whole fruiting body: white to light gray; later becomes grayish to brownish and smooth with a margin that is sometimes turned under. Stipe: cylindrical, 2~8 mm long.

Microscopic features

Spores: irregularly fusiform, smooth, hyaline, no droplets, sometimes has 1 septum, 20~28 × 5~6 µm. Asci: eight-spored, spores irregularly biseriate, 110~130 × 10~12 µm. Paraphyses: filiform, septate, gradually thickened toward the tips to 2.5 µm (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2.

Microscopic and macroscopic structures of Cudoniella acicularis. A, Ascospores (× 1,000); B, Paraphyses (× 400); C, Ascus (× 400), Scale bar = 10 µm (× 1,000), 25 µm (× 400).

Habit & Habitat

Gregarious on dead branches of broadleaved trees.

Distribution

Korea, Europe and North America.

Materials examined

KM07-0578, Gwangneung, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 31 Aug. 2007.

Remarks

When young, the fruiting body of C. acicularis is white to light gray; dark brown spots occur on the cap as it matures. Eventually, the whole fruiting body turns grayish brown. This species is distinguishable from similar apothecial species by the small brown spots that develop as it matures. The spores of this species are larger than those of European species.

Discina ancilis (Pers.) Sacc. (Korean name: Jomwonbanbeoseos) (Fig. 1B)

Summa veg. Scand., Section Post. (Stockholm): 348 (1849).

Synonyms: Acetabula ancilis (Pers.) Lambotte, (1880); Discina perlata (Fr.) Fr., Summa Veg. Scand., Section Post. (Stockholm): 348 (1849); Gyromitra ancilis (Pers.) Kreisel, Boletus, SchrReihe 1: 29 (1984); Gyromitra perlata (Fr.) Harmaja, Karstenia 9: 11 (1969); Peziza ancilis Pers., Mycol. Eur. (Erlanga) 1: 219 (1822); Peziza perlata Fr., Syst. Mycol. (Lundae) 2(1): 43 (1822).

Macroscopic features

Fruiting body: 30~100 (150) mm broad, cup shaped when young, soon expanded, saucer-like, then wavy of flattened to very broadly convex or umbonate. Outline: round to irregular, veined-wrinkled, sinuous margins, red-brown to chestnut brown. Outer surface: whitish to ochre or brownish pink. Stipe: 10~20 mm long, sometimes wrinkled. Context: odorless, whitish, mild.

Microscopic features

Ascospores: hyaline, elliptical, 25~30 × 13~15 µm, finely warty, finely reticulate with a 3~5 µm hyaline apiculus at each end when mature, one large central oil droplet. Asci 300~350 × 16 µm, eight-spored. Paraphyses cylindrical, slightly clavate, tips 7~10 µm thick, with septa (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3.

Microscopic and macroscopic structures of Discina ancilis. A, Ascospores (× 1,000); B, Ascus (× 400); C, Paraphyses (× 400), Scale bar = 10 µm (× 1,000), 25 µm (× 400).

Habit & Habitat

Solitary or gregarious on conifer stumps.

Distribution

Korea, Japan, North America, and Europe.

Materials examined

KM07-0011, Gwangneung, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 24 Apr. 2007; KM07-0023, Gwangneung, Gyeonggi-do, 2 May, 2007; KM07-0028, Gwangneung, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 10 May, 2007.

Remarks

The best growing time for D. ancilis is the spring. Because it develops quite slowly, spores are not produced until the fruiting body is fully grown. Sterile specimens are often encountered.

Helvella costifera Nannf. (Korean name: Galbidaeanjangbeoseos) (Fig. 1C)

Fungi Exsicc. Suec., Fasc.: 37 (1953).

Synonyms: Acetabula costifera (S. Lundell & Nannf.) Benedix, Westfälische Pilzbriefe 5:113 (1965); Paxina costifera (Nannf.) Stangel (1963).

Macroscopic features

Fruiting body: 30~80 mm broad, up to 4 cm deep, ivory to grayish ochre in color, bud to cup- or bowl-shaped when young, then expanded, undulating, and split at the margin. Outer surface: light ivory to grayish ochre in color, finely downy, blunt and rounded longitudinal ribs that gradually extend into the cup. Stipe: deeply ribbed base, 10~50 × 5~30 mm, tapering into the pointed stipe, convoluted or chambered on cross-section. Flesh: thin, rather brittle.

Microscopic features

Ascospores: hyaline, broadly elliptical, 16~20 × 12~14 µm, central oil droplet, smooth. Asci: 250~300 × 12~14 µm, eight-spored. Paraphyses: cylindrical, slightly clavate, 3~5 µm thick tips, 2~3 septa (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4.

Microscopic and macroscopic structures of Helvella costifera. A, Ascospores (× 1,000); B, Ascus (× 400); C, Paraphyses (× 400), Scale bar = 10 µm (× 1,000), 25 µm (× 400).

Habit & Habitat

Solitary or gregarious in conifer forests.

Distribution

Korea, Japan, North America, Europe.

Materials examined

KM07-0238, Gwangneung, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 6 Jul. 2007.

Remarks

This species looks like a cross between a cup fungus and an elfin saddle. The well-developed ribs that extend far up the underside of the cup help to distinguish it from other Helvella species. H. costifera is smaller than H. acetabulum, and the fertile surface of H. costifera is brighter.

Entoloma cephalotrichum (P.D. Orton) Noordel. (Korean name: Jomkkaltaejiweodaebeoseos) (Fig. 1D)

Persoonia 1: 260 (1979).

Synonyms: Alboleptonia cephalotricha (P.D. Orton) P.D. Orton, Mycologist 5(3): 125 (1991); Eccilia molluscus sensu Reid [TBMS 41: 433 (1958)]; Leptonia cephalotricha (P.D. Orton), Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 43: 291 (1960).

Macroscopic features

Pileus: 5~15 mm broad; convex when young but becomes slightly infundibuliform as it matures; surface (under a hand lens) is smooth, dull, slightly hygrophanous; finely chalk-white and radially fibrillose on a cream-white background; striate when moist; margin undulating; browns with age. Flesh: white, thin, odorous, farinaceous taste. Lamellae: white when young, becomes pink as it matures, broad, distinctly decurrent, smooth edges. Stipe: 15~30 × 0.5~1.5 mm, cylindrical, solid to hollow, fragile, whitish-hyaline, smooth, covered in fine white hairs.

Microscopic features

Spores: 5~7 angled, 8.2~11 × 5.8~7.9 µm; Q: 1.2~1.7. Basidia clavate: 35~40 × 12~15 µm, 4 sterigmata, no basal clamp, no cystidia. Pileipellis: composed of short-celled, periclinal hyphae 4~30 µm in width; interspersed with some exserted capitate hyphal ends, no clamps on septa. Capitate hairs (on stipe base): up to 120 µm long (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5.

Microscopic and macroscopic structures of Entoloma cephalotrichum. A, Basidiospores (× 1,000); B, Basidia (× 1,000); C, Pileipellis (× 400), Scale bar = 10 µm (× 1,000), 25 µm (× 400).

Habit & Habitat

Solitary or up to a few gregarious species in forests or parks, terrestrial, found in nutrient-rich, moist soils. Summer-fall. Rare.

Distribution

Korea, Europe.

Materials examined

KM07-0265, Gwangneung, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 18 Jul. 2007.

Remarks

E. cephalotrichum rarely grows on the ground of a larch (Larix kaempferi). Its shape resembles that of Clitocybe species because of its decurrent gills. Because of its tiny fruiting bodies observed under the microscope, this species was identified as belonging to the genus Entoloma.

Mycena leptocephala Gill. (Korean name: Yalbeungatweojuleumbeoseos) (Fig. 1E, F)

Hyménomycètes (Alençon): 267 (1876).

Synonyms: Agaricus alcalinus subsp. leptocephalus (Pers.) Pers., Icon. et Desc. Fung. Min. Cognit. (Leipzig) 2: 48 (1800); Agaricus leptocephalus Pers., Icon. et Desc. Fung. Min. Cognit. (Leipzig) 2: 48 pl.12 (1800); Agaricus leptocephalus subsp. leptocephalus Pers., Icon. Desc. Fung. Min. Cognit. (Leipzig) 2: 48 pl.12 (1800); Mycena alcalina var. chlorinella J.E. Lange, Dansk bot. Ark. 1(no. 5): 21 (1914); Mycena ammoniaca sensu A.A. Pearson, fide Checklist of Basidiomycota of Great Britain and Ireland (2005); Mycena chlorinella (J.E. Lange) Singer, Annls Mycol. 34: 430 (1936); Mycena metata sensu Rea (1922), auct.; fide Checklist of Basidiomycota of Great Britain and Ireland (2005).

Macroscopic features

Pileus: 10~20 mm broad, narrowly parabolic to cylindrical when young; expands as it matures, becoming conic campanulate to broadly parabolic with a surface that is smooth, dull, hygrophanous, and dark grayish brown to light ash gray in color and a margin that is acute and paler to whitish and slightly dentate. Lamellae: grayish white to light gray, broad, anastomoses, finely adnexed to somewhat adnate, smooth to slightly dentate edge. Stipe: 30~80 × 1~2 mm, cylindrical, somewhat enlarged base with white rhizoids, smooth, dull, brown apex with whitish pruinose, central attachment, no innerveil or universal veil. Context: whitish to light gray, thin, odorous, mild taste.

Microscopic features

Basidiospores: 6.0~8.5 × 3.4~4.5 µm, elliptical, smooth, hyaline, droplets. Basidia: 18.0~25.0 × 5.0~8.0 µm, 4-spored, basal clamp. Hymenophoral trama interwoven. Cheilocystidia: 40~60 × 15-25 µm. Pileipellis: strongly diverticulate, septa with clamps (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6.

Microscopic and macroscopic structures of Mycena leptocephala. A, Basidiospores (× 1,000); B, Basidia (× 1,000); C, Cheilocystidia (× 400); D, Pileipellis (× 400), Scale bar = 10 µm (× 1,000), 25 µm (× 400).

Habit & Habitat

Solitary or gregarious on soil, among leaves, conifer litter, mosses.

Distribution

Korea, Japan, North America, and Europe.

Materials examined

KM07-0005, Gwangneung, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17 Apr. 2007; KM07-0006, Gwangneung, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17 Apr. 2007; KM07-0010, Gwangneung, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 23 Apr. 2007; KM07-0020, Gwangneung, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 2 May, 2007; KM07-0063, Gwangneung, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 4 Jun. 2007; KM07-0089, Gwangneung, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 5 Jun. 2007.

Remarks

The best growing time of M. leptocephala is spring. This species is distinguishable from M. stipata by its alkaline odor, primarily from the swollen end cell of the cortical layer of the stipe apex. M. leptochephala is distinguishable from M. silvae-nigrae by its 2-spored basidia.

Naematoloma gracile Hongo (Korean name: Ganeundaegaeambeoseos) (Fig. 1G, H)

Mem, Fac, Lib. Arts. Educ. Shiga Univ., Nat Sci. 12, p 41, (1962).

Macroscopic features

Pileus: 20~40 mm broad, bellshaped when young (then convex to plane with a slightly incurved margin), smooth surface, not viscid, ocher to light brown, margin paler to whitish. Context: pale yellow to orange yellow, thin, slightly musty odor, mild taste. Lamellae: whitish to grayish (beige when young, violet-brown when old), broad, ascending and narrowly adnate, whitish floccose edges. Stipe: 30~50 × 2~4 mm, cylindrical, somewhat enlarged apex at times, flexuous toward the base, hollow, elastic, smooth surface, dull, light-yellow apex (increasingly yellowish orange toward the base), base attached, whitish tomentose. Stipe: central attachment, no innerveil or universal veil.

Microscopic features

Spores: elliptical, smooth, light grayish yellow, slightly thick-walled, indistinct or absent germ pore, 10~14 × 6~7.5 µm; purple-brown. Basidia clavate; 25~65 × 4~5.5 µm, 4 sterigmata with a basal clamp. Cheilocystidia: cylindrical to lageniform, 20~43 × 8~10 µm, occasional interspersed chrysocystidia. Pleurocystidia: modified as chrysocystidia, fusiform-ventricose, apical protrusion, 20~40 × 4~6 µm. Pileipellis: composed of periclinal hyphae, almost hyaline, encrusted septa with clamps, periclinal hyphae below septa (composed of oval to fusiform, brown-pigmented and encrusted cells) (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7.

Microscopic and macroscopic structures of Naematoloma gracile. A, Basidiospores (× 1,000); B, Basidia (× 1,000); C, Cheilocystidia (× 1,000), Scale bar = 10 µm.

Habit & Habitat

Solitary or gregarious on the rotten log of hardwood.

Distribution

Korea, East Asia, Europe, and North America.

Materials examined

KM07-0140, Gwangneung, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 27 Jun. 2007.

Remarks

Typical of this species of Naematoloma are the sulfuric to yellowish colored fruiting bodies and the clustered mode of growth on rotten wood. This species can be confused with Hyphoma elongatum, which has smaller fruiting bodies. H. elongatum occurs in moss, but not with moss.

Sistotrema octosporum (J. Schröt. ex Höhn. & Litsch.) Hallenb. (Korean name: Hweosekcheonbeoseos) (Fig. 1I)

Eriksson, Hjortstam & Ryvarden, Cortic. N. Europ. (Oslo) 7: 1349 (1984).

Synonyms: Corticium muscicola (Bres.), Ann Mycol. 1(1/2): 96 (1903); Corticium octosporum (J. Schröt. ex Höhn. & Litsch.), Ann Mycol. 4(3): 292 (1906); Sistotrema camshadalicum (Parmasto), Eesti NSV Tead. Akad. Toim., Biol. seer 14(2): 230 (1965); Sistotrema commune (J. Erikss.), Svensk Bot. Tidskr. 43: 312 (1949); Sistotrema commune f. commune J. Erikss., Svensk Bot. Tidskr. 43: 312 (1949); Sistotrema estonicum (Parmasto), Eesti NSV Tead. Akad. Toim., Biol. seer 14(2): 230 (1965); Sistotrema subpyriforme (M.P. Christ.), Dansk Bot. Ark. 19(no. 2): 84 (1960).

Macroscopic features

Fruiting body: fully resupinate, attached loosely to the substrate, form thin membranous-arachnoid patches several centimeters in length, white surface smooth to somewhat tuberculate-reticulate, diffuse margin. Consistency: cottony, soft, easy to wipe off.

Microscopic features

Spores: elliptical, smooth, hyaline, some with droplets, 4.5~6 × 2.5~3 µm. Basidia urniform: 10~15 × 5~7 µm, 6~8 sterigmata, basal clamp. Cystidia: absent. Hyphal system: monomitic, basal hyphae hyaline, thin-walled, 4~7 µm across, some with granular contents; hyphae in subhymenium thin-walled, hyaline, 3~5.5 µm across, all septa have clamps (Fig. 8).

Fig. 8.

Microscopic and macroscopic structures of Sistotrema octosporum. A, Basidiospores (× 1,000); B, Basidia (× 1,000); C, Hyphal system (× 1,000), Scale bar = 10 µm.

Habit & Habitat

Dead logs and branches of hardwood lying on the ground.

Distribution

Korea and Europe.

Materials examined

KM07-0188, Gwangneung, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 5 Jul. 2007.

Remarks

This species has a very delicate and transparent fruiting body under humid conditions, but turns white in the dry seasons. Almost all Sistotrema species have 4~8 sterigmata; S. octosporum and S. brinkmannii have 6~8 sterigmata. S. brinkmannii forms allantoid spores, whereas S. octosporum forms elliptical spores.

Hydnellum peckii Banker (Korean name: Pijeopkkaltaegibeoseos) (Fig. 1J)

Peck, Bull. N.Y. St. Mus. 157: 28 (1912).

Synonyms: Calodon diabolus (Banker) Snell, Lloydia 19: 166 (1956); Calodon peckii (Banker) Snell & E.A. Dick, Lloydia 19: 163 (1956); Hydnellum diabolus Banker, Mycologia 5(4): 194 (1913); Hydnellum rhizopes Coker, J. Elisha Mitchell Scient. Soc. 55: 379 (1939); Hydnum diabolus (Banker) A.H. Sm., Syll. fung. (Abellini) 23: 470 (1925); Hydnum peckii (Banker) Sacc., Syll. fung. (Abellini) 23: 470 (1925).

Macroscopic features

Pileus: 30~100 mm broad; sometimes contains needles and other debris; pulvinate when young; whitish, dull, red-brown, with blood-red exudate when growing; later, broadly convex to plane or depressed; radially grooved; thick; erect; pointed scales; wine-red to red-brown (black-brown with age) with whitish margins; undulating crenate; black-brown spots evident when exudate dries up; whitish (red-brown with age) decurrent spinose hymenophore on lower surface. Spines: 1~5 × 0.5 mm. Stipe: 10~50 × 10~30 mm, solid, red-brown, commonly fused with the substrate. Flesh: duplex in pileus and stipe, pale pink-brown, concentrically zoned, many interspersed small blackish dots, weakly sourish odor, hot taste, acrid.

Microscopic features

Spores: subglobose-elliptical, irregular and blunt coarse tubercles, light brown, 4.5~5.5 × 3.5~4.5 µm. Basidia clavate: 20~27 × 7~8 µm, 4 sterigmata, no basal clamp. Cystidia: absent. Hyphal system: monomitic, thin to thick-walled hyphae in spines, hyaline, pileal trama 2~5.5 µm in width, brownish. Septa: some have clamps (Fig. 9).

Fig. 9.

Microscopic and macroscopic structures of Hydnellum peckii. A, Basidiospores (× 1,000); B, Basidia (× 1,000); C, Hyphal system (× 1,000), Scale bar = 10 µm.

Habit & Habitat

Solitary or gregarious on rotten logs and litter of conifer wood.

Distribution

Korea, Japan, and Europe.

Materials examined

KM07-0813, Gwangneung, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 1 Oct. 2007.

Remarks

The bright red droplets that cling to the surface of the cap in moist weather make this a striking and easily identifiable mushroom. As for other Hydnellum species, the cap varies considerably in color and texture according to age and environmental condition. When young, this species is white and beaded with droplets. When older, battered specimens are typically brown or dark reddish-brown with a white, beaded margin. This species can be easily confused with H. ferrugineum, because both species have sometimes-occurring red guttation drops in common. H. peckii has acrid, light pink-colored flesh with dark dots, and some septa have clamps.