''Porpolomopsis calyptriformis'' is a species of agaric (gilled mushroom) in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of Pink Waxcap. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the species being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. A similar but as yet unnamed species occurs in North America.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1838 by the Rev. Miles Joseph Berkeley as ''Agaricus calyptraeformis'' (so spelt), based on specimens he collected locally in England. In 1889, Swiss

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 ...

Victor Fayod Victor Fayod (23 November 1860 – 28 April 1900) was a Swiss mycologist, who created an influential novel classification of the agaric fungi and who described a number of new genera and species. Biographical overview Fayod was born on 23 Nove ...

moved it to the genus '' Hygrocybe''. The specific epithet comes from Greek καλὐπτρα (= a woman's veil) + Latin forma (= shape), hence "veil-shaped". In 2008, Bresinsky proposed the genus ''

Porpolomopsis ''Porpolomopsis'' is a genus of fungi in the family Hygrophoraceae. It was circumscribed in 2008 by Andreas Bresinsky to contain '' P. calyptriformis''. Bresinsky separated it from the genus ''Hygrocybe'' based on its color and the absence ...

'' to accommodate the species. Recent

molecular A molecule is a group of two or more atoms held together by attractive forces known as chemical bonds; depending on context, the term may or may not include ions which satisfy this criterion. In quantum physics, organic chemistry, and bioche ...

research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences, found that ''Porpolomopsis calyptriformis'' does not belong in ''Hygrocybe''

sensu stricto ''Sensu'' is a Latin word meaning "in the sense of". It is used in a number of fields including biology, geology, linguistics, semiotics, and law. Commonly it refers to how strictly or loosely an expression is used in describing any particular co ...

and confirmed its removal to the genus ''

''.

Description

Basidiocarps are agaricoid, up to 125mm (5 in) tall, the cap narrowly conical at first, retaining an acute umbo when expanded, up to 75mm (3 in) across, often splitting when expanded, the margins turning upwards. The cap surface is smooth to fibrillose, slightly shiny or greasy, pale rose-pink to lilac-pink (rarely white). The lamellae (gills) are widely spaced, waxy, cap-coloured or whiter. The stipe (stem) is smooth, white to pale cap-coloured, lacking a ring. The spore print is white, the spores (under a microscope) smooth, inamyloid, ellipsoid, c. 6.5 to 8.0 by 4.5 to 5.5μm. The species can normally be distinguished in the field, thanks to its shape and colour. No other European waxcap is pink with a pointed cap.

Distribution and habitat

The Pink Waxcap is widespread but generally rare throughout Europe, with its "stronghold" in the United Kingdom where it is not uncommon. Like other waxcaps, it occurs in old, agriculturally unimproved, short-sward grassland (pastures and lawns). The species has been reported from North America, but specimens that have been DNA-sequenced are not the same as the European ''P. calyptriformis''. Recent research suggests waxcaps are neither mycorrhizal nor saprotrophic but may be associated with mosses.

Conservation

''Porpolomopsis calyptriformis'' is typical of waxcap grasslands, a declining habitat due to changing agricultural practices. As a result, the species is of global conservation concern and is listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is also one of 33 larger fungi proposed for international protection under the Bern Convention. ''Porpolomopsis calyptriformis'' also appears on the official or provisional national red lists of threatened fungi in several European countries, including Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany (Bavaria), Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, and Switzerland.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q54371376 Fungi of Europe Fungi described in 1838 Hygrophoraceae Taxa named by Miles Joseph Berkeley