Fleshy Fungi of New Brunswick >> Entoloma murinum

Entoloma murinum Peck

Solitary in leaf litter in forest dominated by Picea rubens, Abies balsamea and Betula papyrifera, associated with Corylus cornuta and Abies balsamea. Upper Dungarvon Protected Natural Area, New Brunswick (05-07-19/04)

Basidiospores not forming a spore print, heterodiametrical, strictly 5-sided, 10.0-11.9 X 7.6-9.0 µm, Q = 1.17-1.48 (average[30]: 10.7 X 8.2 µm, Q = 1.32). Basidia 4-spored, with a clamp connection at base. Hymenial cystidia lacking. Pileipellis a thin cutis of narrow hyphae over a thick subcutis of mostly long broad hyphae, with broad hyphae of subcutis 111-203 X 18-43 µm (average[13]: 133.1 X 26.0 µm). Pigmentation intracellular and mostly intraparietal, not encrusting.

Entoloma murinum has not been reported often and is still poorly known. It was first recorded by S. Davis in 1905, growing among grasses and Sphagnum gametophytes in Salmouth, Massachusetts and subsequently described and named by Charles Peck. Dr. Machiel Noordeloos subsequently studied dried material of this type collection (Öster. Z. Pilzk., 2008) and reported microscopic details closely fitting the collection reported here. There are some differences between Davis's collection and Collection 05-07-19/04: Davis's original collection had a much shorter stipe and probably had a darker pileus. In addition, that collection was made in September, while ours was made in early July. There was no description of the odour of Davis's original collection. Our collection had a slightly oily-fishy odour and a farinaceous taste.

According to Dr. Noorleloos E. murinum is a member of Entoloma Subgenus Nolanea Section Endochromonema, a group that includes E. cetratum, E. pallescens and E. cuneatum. However, this group is not well studied and may still be found to be richer in species than it is presenly thought to be.

Photographs: D. Malloch (05-07-19/04).