''Catathelasma'' is a

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 ...

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 (biology), family Biannulariaceae. Basidiocarps (fruit bodies) are agaric, agaricoid, with a conspicuous Universal veil, veil (leaving a double ring on the stem), Lamella (mycology), adnate to decurrent lamellae (mycology), lamellae, and amyloid (mycology), amyloid basidiospores. The genus is separated on DNA characteristics as well as morphology. Species are known from North America, Europe, and Asia and are ectomycorrhizal, forming an association with the living roots of trees.

Taxonomy

The genus ''Catathelasma'' was originally described in 1910 by American botanist and mycologist Ruth Ellen Harrison Lovejoy with ''Catathelasma evanescens, 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. 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 Lamella (mycology), adnate to decurrent lamellae (gills), a double veil (giving the stipe (mycology), 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 (mycology), amyloid spores, a bilateral gill Trama (mycology), trama, and hyphae with clamp connections.

Habitat and distribution

Species are ectomycorrhizal, 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.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2707526 Agaricales genera