| Major Groups > Mycotrophs > Syzygites megalocarpus |
| Major Groups > Oddballs & Misfits > Syzygites megalocarpus |
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Syzygites megalocarpus [ Zygomycetes > Mucorales > Mucoraceae > Syzygites ... ] by Michael Kuo This mold is a parasite on many mushroom species, colonizing their surfaces with yellow fuzz that becomes bluish or gray as it develops. Unlike some species of Hypomyces that completely engulf their victims and often transform them beyond recognition, Syzygites megalocarpus usually leaves its victim recognizable. Common victims include members of the Lepiota Group (especially Leucoagaricus americanus and Macrolepiota procera), Calvatia cyathiformis, and various boletes. But Syzygites megalocarpus is not picky about its victims, which have been documented from more than 65 different genera in the United States, so it should be expected on virtually any mushroom. The edibility of mushrooms parasitized by Syzygites megalocarpus, of course, is completely dependent on the identity of the victim--and the edibility of the parasite itself is not documented (and disgusting to contemplate). Do not eat any mushroom that has been colonized by Syzygites megalocarpus. Description: Ecology: Parasitic on diverse mushrooms; widely distributed in North America. Fruiting Body: A fuzzy mold covering the victim's surfaces; yellow becoming bluish or gray. Microscopic Features: Sporangiophores septate, dichotomously branched up to 6 times, with sporangia at the tips. Spores 5-35 µ; round or irregular; surface roughened (illustration at Univ. Wisconsin). REFERENCES: Ehrenberg, 1818. (Kovacs & Sundberg, 1999; Lassøe & Lincoff, 2002.) Herb. Kuo 08240601. Further Online Information: Syzygites megalocarpus in Illinois (Kovacs & Sundberg, 1999) |
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Cite this page as: Kuo, M. (2006, October). Syzygites megalocarpus. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/syzygites_megalocarpus.html |