genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
fungi
A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
agaricoid
An agaric () is a type of fungus fruiting body characterized by the presence of a pileus (cap) that is clearly differentiated from the stipe (stalk), with lamellae (gills) on the underside of the pileus. In the UK, agarics are called "mushrooms ...
, with a conspicuous
veil
A veil is an article of clothing or hanging cloth that is intended to cover some part of the head or face, or an object of some significance. Veiling has a long history in European, Asian, and African societies. The practice has been prominent ...
(leaving a double ring on the stem),
adnate
Adnate may refer to:
* Adnation, in botany, the fusion of two or more whorls of a flower
* Adnate, in mycology, a classification of lamellae (gills)
* Conjoined twins
Conjoined twins – sometimes popularly referred to as Siamese twins – are ...
basidiospores
A basidiospore is a reproductive spore produced by Basidiomycete fungi, a grouping that includes mushrooms, shelf fungi, rusts, and smuts. Basidiospores typically each contain one haploid nucleus that is the product of meiosis, and they are pro ...
. The genus is separated on DNA characteristics as well as morphology. Species are known from North America, Europe, and Asia and are
ectomycorrhizal
An ectomycorrhiza (from Greek ἐκτός ', "outside", μύκης ', "fungus", and ῥίζα ', "root"; pl. ectomycorrhizas or ectomycorrhizae, abbreviated EcM) is a form of symbiotic relationship that occurs between a fungal symbiont, or mycobi ...
, forming an association with the living roots of trees.
Taxonomy
The genus ''Catathelasma'' was originally described in 1910 by American botanist and
mycologist
Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungus, fungi, including their genetics, genetic and biochemistry, biochemical properties, their Taxonomy (biology), taxonomy and ethnomycology, their use to humans, including as a so ...
Ruth Ellen Harrison Lovejoy with '' C. evanescens'' as the type species.
in 1922 the Austrian botanist Günther Beck von Mannagetta und Lerchenau referred the European species ''Armillaria imperialis'' to his new genus ''Biannularia''. For a time ''Catathelasma'' and ''Biannularia'' were regarded as separate (though closely related) genera, as for instance in a 1936 paper by
Rolf Singer
Rolf Singer (June 23, 1906 – January 18, 1994) was a Germany, German-born mycologist and one of the most important Taxonomy (biology), taxonomists of gilled mushrooms (agarics) in the 20th century.
After receiving his Ph.D. at the University ...
. Later Singer united the genera using Lovejoy's earlier name. Recent DNA research confirms this synonymy.
Etymology
Lovejoy's original description states that:
According to Genaust's etymological dictionary of botanical names, "Catathelasma" comes from Ancient Greek words "kata" ( - downwards) and "thelasma" ( - meaning "the act of suckling"). He says that the reason for this construction is unclear, but suggests that the author is comparing the shape made by the gills running down the stem with a teat stretched out during suckling. " Decurrent" means "running down the stem" and another possible connection with Lovejoy's description is that "katatheo" () means "I run down". However it is difficult to see how that could logically give rise to the noun "Catathelasma".
Description
''Catathelasma'' species are stocky, '' Tricholoma''-like fungi, with
adnate
Adnate may refer to:
* Adnation, in botany, the fusion of two or more whorls of a flower
* Adnate, in mycology, a classification of lamellae (gills)
* Conjoined twins
Conjoined twins – sometimes popularly referred to as Siamese twins – are ...
to decurrent lamellae (gills), a double veil (giving the stipe two rings), a stipe that is tapered to the base and rooting (often buried), and a mealy smell. At the microscopic level they have oblong to cylindrical, amyloid spores, a bilateral gill trama, and
hyphae
A hypha (; ) is a long, branching, filamentous structure of a fungus, oomycete, or actinobacterium. In most fungi, hyphae are the main mode of vegetative growth, and are collectively called a mycelium.
Structure
A hypha consists of one or ...
with
clamp connections
A clamp connection is a hook-like structure formed by growing hyphal cells of certain fungi. It is a characteristic feature of Basidiomycetes fungi. It is created to ensure that each cell, or segment of hypha separated by septa (cross walls), recei ...
.
Habitat and distribution
Species are
ectomycorrhizal
An ectomycorrhiza (from Greek ἐκτός ', "outside", μύκης ', "fungus", and ῥίζα ', "root"; pl. ectomycorrhizas or ectomycorrhizae, abbreviated EcM) is a form of symbiotic relationship that occurs between a fungal symbiont, or mycobi ...
, growing on the ground under conifers. They are known from continental Europe, North and Central America, and Asia.
Edibility
Some species of ''Catathelasma'' are edible and are collected for food in China, Guatemala, and Russia.