Fleshy Fungi of New Brunswick >> Laccaria pumila

Laccaria pumila Fayod

Scattered to gregarious in a moss carpet and in tidal debris (including Phaeophyta) in a drainage area at the base of a steep beachside slope under Abies balsamea, Alnus viridis and Betula cordifolia – Little Lepreau, New Brunswick (18-08-10/01).

Basidiospores white in spore print, ellipsoidal, covered with conical spines, inamyloid, 10.0-12.6 X 8.1-10.7 μm, D/d = 1.13-1.30 (average[21]: 10.8 X 9.1 μm, D/d = 1.20).

Laccaria pumila is one of two species of Laccaria occuring in New Brunswick having 2-spored basidia. The other, L. tortilis, is rather similar in appearance but differs in having nearly spherical basidiospores provided with long spines up to 3 μm in length. Collection 18-08-10/01 differs from the description of L. pumila by Dr. Gregory M. Mueller in having slightly smaller basidiospores and in occuring in a decidedly marine-influenced environment. Laccaria pumila is usually described as an inhabitant of alpine, arctic or boreal habitats.

Photo: D. Malloch (18-08-10/01).