''Pseudotricholoma metapodium'' is a species of agaric (gilled mushroom) in the family Tricholomataceae. It has been given the recommended English name of mealy meadowcap. The species has a European distribution, occurring mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in the mealy meadowcap being assessed as globally " endangered" on the

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book, founded in 1964, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biologi ...

Taxonomy

The species was first described by Swedish

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 ...

Elias Magnus Fries Elias Magnus Fries (15 August 1794 – 8 February 1878) was a Swedish mycologist and botanist. Career Fries was born at Femsjö (Hylte Municipality), Småland, the son of the pastor there. He attended school in Växjö. He acquired ...

in 1818 as ''Agaricus metapodius''.

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 ...

transferred it to ''

Porpoloma ''Porpoloma'' is a genus of fungi in the family Tricholomataceae. The genus contains about 12 species found predominantly in South America. ''Porpoloma'' was described by mycologist Rolf Singer in 1952 with ''Porpoloma sejunctum, P. sejunctu ...

'' in 1973, but subsequent

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 the latter genus was polyphyletic with species belonging either to ''Porpoloma''

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 ...

or the new genus ''Pseudotricholoma''.

Description

Basidiocarps are agaricoid, up to 90 mm (3.5 in) tall, the cap convex then flat, up to 100 mm (4 in) across. The cap surface is smooth, pale to dark grey-brown to reddish brown, often splitting at margin. The lamellae (gills) are very pale grey to brownish, bruising red then black. The stipe (stem) is smooth, finely fibrillose, similarly coloured to the pileus or paler, slowly bruising red then black, lacking a

ring Ring may refer to: * Ring (jewellery), a round band, usually made of metal, worn as ornamental jewelry * To make a sound with a bell, and the sound made by a bell :(hence) to initiate a telephone connection Arts, entertainment and media Film and ...

. The smell is mealy when cut. The spore print is white, the spores (under a microscope) ellipsoid to oblong, amyloid, measuring about 6 to 8 by 3 to 4

μm The micrometre ( international spelling as used by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; SI symbol: μm) or micrometer (American spelling), also commonly known as a micron, is a unit of length in the International System of Unit ...

Similar species

In grassland, the common '' Lepista luscina'' can look similar, but is typically paler, does not change colour when bruised, and is microscopically distinct. The rare ''

Neohygrocybe ovina ''Neohygrocybe ovina'' is a species of agaric (gilled mushroom) in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of blushing waxcap, since the lamellae (gills) and flesh turn pinkish red when bruised. The species has a ...

'' does bruise red, but is typically blacker and is also microscopically distinct.

Distribution and habitat

The mealy meadowcap is rare but widespread in northern and central Europe. It occurs in old, agriculturally unimproved, short-sward grassland (pastures and lawns).

Conservation

''Pseudotricholoma metapodium'' 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 "endangered" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

References

External links

Fungi described in 1818 Fungi of Europe Tricholomataceae Taxa named by Elias Magnus Fries {{Tricholomataceae-stub