Greyish disco on deciduous stump

[Leif]

On a rotten deciduous stump, disksto about 2mm across, many are distorted, almost brainlike:

The spores are about (6-9)x2um2, spindle shaped, no drops, no septa:

The asci were roughly 70-90 by 4 um2 (measured with a x40 objective, so rather rough). Paraphyses wre filiform, about 1um wide, tips not expanded, although I had problems seeing details. I'm not sure why but microscopy of this one did not go well, then again, I hate these small jobs, perhaps I need a dissecting microscope.

[Edited to correct typos.]

[Chris Johnson]

Paraphyses wre filiform, about 1mm wide, ...

An error surely?

[Chris Johnson]

Paraphyses wre filiform, about 1mm wide, ...

An error surely?

... and if it's a basidiomycete, would you have paraphyses?

[Paul Cannon]

Assuming that you had asci rather than basidia, most would identify this as Mollisia cinerea, though in reality that is a horrible hotchpotch of species that needs a proper sorting out. And I can assure you that acquiring a dissecting microscope will make your life immeasurably easier and more pleasurable!

Best wishes
Paul

[Leif]

Paraphyses wre filiform, about 1mm wide, ...

An error surely?

Me, make errors, surely not ... Yes, one of several. Sigh.

Paraphyses wre filiform, about 1mm wide, ...

An error surely?

... and if it's a basidiomycete, would you have paraphyses?

Not a good day for me. I have corrected the typos in the original post.

[mollisia]

Hello,

in this case indeed the name seems to be correct with Mollisia cinerea (ss. str.), whereas most of the so-identified collections are something else.

The publication of the epitypeictation of Mollisia cinerea is still pending - I'm sorry for that .... the day should have 48 hours, income should come by itself and social interactions should be kinimized to Christmas ... then there would be a chance may be to get around ....

best regards,
Andreas

[Leif]

Thank you Andreas, I am somewhat surprised that such a common species is so confused.

And in response to Paul's comment, a dissecting microscope should arrive tomorrow or the day after.

[mollisia]

Dear Leif,

Mollisia cinerea is very often REPORTED, but only rarely correctly identified .... In fact it is not really possible to identify it correctly, because the species has never been described in a modern sense, so it is in fact undeterminable with the literature. In the most cases what is called M. cinerea is a similar species with some (few9 oil drops in the spores, longer spores, apothecia which are rarely as discinoid ("wavy") as in cinerea, and a tendancy to become yellowih in age and/or on slowly dehydrating. What name this species very common species will recieve is unclear, but it will certainly be the name of its anamorph and therefore not well known ....

best regards,
Andreas

[Wood Wanderer]

Hi all

Found these yesterday which "look" rather similar to Leif's specimen, I assume these fall in the same argument so could be M. cinerea or indeed something else entirely. Interesting shapes though ...

Regards

John

[mollisia]

Hello John,

your collection shows the typical brownish hues in the hymenium that are typical for Mollisia lividofusca, and I'd bet a lot that you have this species in your foto. It is very common on rather hard wood in somewhat dry conditions. If you make a section through the apothecium, you usually find that the subhymenium is brownish coloured - a unique feature among all Mollisia species as far as I know up to now.

best regards,
Andreas

[Wood Wanderer]

Hello John,

your collection shows the typical brownish hues in the hymenium that are typical for Mollisia lividofusca, and I'd bet a lot that you have this species in your foto. It is very common on rather hard wood in somewhat dry conditions. If you make a section through the apothecium, you usually find that the subhymenium is brownish coloured - a unique feature among all Mollisia species as far as I know up to now.

best regards,
Andreas

Many thanks Andreas for your comments and advice, I did not collect a sample but will do so next time I go to what is my local wood.

Kind regards

John