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Clavariadelphus occidentalis

[ Basidiomycetes > Phallales > Gomphaceae > Clavariadelphus . . . ]

by Michael Kuo

This western species passed as "Clavariadelphus pistillaris" until 1989, when Andrew Methven separated it on the basis of its colors, spore size, and preference for western conifers (the true Clavariadelphus pistillarus of eastern North America and Europe is associated with beech). Clavariadelphus occidentalis is initially pale pinkish, but it darkens somewhat as it matures. Its surfaces stain reddish to purplish brown when handled.

Description:

Ecology: Probably mycorrhizal; associated with conifers; growing scattered or gregariously (or rarely in small clusters); widely distributed on the West Coast from Alaska to Mexico, and east as far as Idaho; fall and winter.

Fruiting Body: 5-20 cm high; .5-3 cm wide; cylindric or spindle shaped when young, later enlarging at the top and becoming club shaped; surface smooth or, in age, wrinkled longitudinally; at first pale yellowish to pale pinkish, darkening to pinkish or pale cinnamon with age; bruising cinnamon brown; the base with pale mycelium; flesh whitish, becoming pale brownish on exposure to air.

Odor and Taste: Not distinctive.

Chemical Reactions: Surface negative with KOH, greenish with iron salts (illustrated).

Spore Print: White.

Microscopic Features: Spores 9-13.5 x 5-6.5 µ; flask shaped (more or less elliptical, with a "spout"); smooth.


REFERENCES: Methven, 1989. (Arora, 1986 [as C. pistillaris]; Methven, 1989; Methven, 1990.)


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Clavariadelphus occidentalis



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Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2005, September). Clavariadelphus occidentalis. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/clavariadelphus_occidentalis.html