Fleshy Fungi of New Brunswick >> Entoloma conicum

Entoloma conicum (Sacc.) Hesler

Solitary in needle and leaf debris in mixed forest of Betula papyrifera, B. alleghaniensis, Acer saccharum and Abies balsamea, Nepisguit Protected Natural Area, New Brunswick. (15-08-16/07)

As interpreted here, Entoloma conicum is recognized by its conical, sharply umbonate, light brown, striate cap. Microscopically it is characterized by the encrusted hyphae of the pileipellis and presence of clamp connections on the basidia. It seems to be similar to E. papillatum, E. sericeonitens, and other European species but differs in its paler brown cap and lack of a distinctive odour. Hesler (Brittonia 15:324-366. 1963) examined the holotype of this species and reported an absence of clamp connections, which suggests that Collection 15-08-16/07, as reported here, may be yet another species of Entoloma. Because clamp connections in even freshly collected material of Entoloma can be difficult to demonstrate we have decided to maintain this collection in E. conicum.

It should be pointed out that the colour of the cap in the field photo above is inaccurate, due to a photographic error. The original field notes give the colour as HSV40:60:40-50, a distinct brownish grey, not too unlike the colour in the scans. A very similar colour error was pointed out in the illustration of Entoloma engadinum.

Photograph: D. Malloch (15-08-16/07).