Fleshy Fungi of New Brunswick >> Galerina vittiformis

Galerina vittiformis (Fr.) Singer

Picture of <i>Galerina vittiformis</i> 15-09-19/03 Picture of <i>Galerina vittiformis</i> 05-10-20/05

Two collections:

Galerina vittiformis is commonly found throughout the cooler parts of the world. According to Alexander Smith and Rolf Singer (A Monograph On The Genus Galerina Earle, Hafner Publ. Co., NY. 1964) it is a complex taxon showing a great amount of variation. Collection 15-09-19/03 could be assigned to G. vittiformis var. albescens forma tetraspora due to the white colour of the pileus as it dries out and by its four-spored basidia. A second collection of G. vittiformis, preserved at the Canadian National Mycological Herbarium (DAOM), was collected in Kouchibouguac National Park and identified as G. vittiformis var. vittiformis forma vittiformis, a variety and form differing from var. albescens only in having a less white colour in the pileus when faded. Collection 05-10-20/05 differs from both of these in having two-spored basidia and could be assigned to G. vittiformis var. albescens forma bispora The significance of all this variation should be investigated using molecular methods.

Galerina vittiformis is typical of many species in the genus having small basidiomata. Confident identification requires information on microscopic features of the pileipellis, lamellae and stipe. Diagnostic for G. vittiformis are the presence of pleurocystidia, lack of pileocystidia, presence of abundant caulocystidia and very roughened basidiospores with a poorly- to well-defined plage.

Photographs: D. Malloch (15-09-19/03, 05-10-20/05).