bolete eater

Description:

Hypomyces chrysospermus is one of a small number of fungi included here that parasitize other fungi. The white, then yellow cottony growths which mummify members of the Bolete family are most common in wet years, but even then only a fraction of the available fruiting bodies are affected. Hypomyces microspermus, which also occurs in our area is very similar but differs in having spiny, round, asexual spores that are smaller than those of H. chrysospermus. It should be noted that while many mushrooms fall victim to various molds in age, only a few of these are Hypomyces species, i.e. forming a well developed cottony layer (a subiculum) with embedded reddish-brown perithecia----- •Sporocarp--Fruiting body, a white, soon yellow, cottony layer overgrowing the surface of a host mushroom, usually a member of the Boletaceae. Three kinds of spores are produced during the life cycle, two asexual and one sexual. The sexual phase, seldom seen because the host has usually rotted beyond recognition, consists of perithecia, asci, and ascospores. The ascospores according to Rogers and Samuels are fusiform to lanceolate, unequally bicellular, 20-25 x 4-5 µm. Two types of asexual spores are produced: 1.elliptical, thin walled, smooth, hyaline, 8-12 x 3.5-5.0 µm. 2.round, spiny, yellow, 9-20 µm. •Habitat-Growing on boletaceous mushrooms, especially Boletus zelleri, B. chrysenteron and B. subtomentosus which fruit from early to late fall. •Edibility-Unknown ( http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Hypom... )

Habitat:

location: North America edibility: Poisonous/Suspect fungus colour: White to cream, Yellow normal size: 5-15cm cap type: Other stem type: Lateral, rudimentary or absent flesh: Flesh granular or brittle spore colour: White, cream or yellowish habitat: Grows on other fungi Hypomyces chrysospermus Tul. Fruit body a 3-stage mold that grows on boletes. At first it is white and moldy, then it becomes yellow and powdery, and finally it becomes reddish brown and pimpled (this stage is rarely seen). Spores in white stage (asexual), ellipsoid, smooth, 10-30 x 5-12µ; in yellow stage (asexual), globose, warty, thick-walled, 10-25 x 10-25µ; in final stage (sexual), spindle-shaped, transparent, 25-30 x 5-6µ. Habitat singly or in groups on boletes; also reported on paxillus and rhizopogon mushrooms. Common. Found widely distributed in North America. Season June-September. Not edible-possibly poisonous ( http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/D... )

Notes:

This "bolete mold" is widely distributed in North America (and the world, for that matter); many mushroom hunters in search of edible boletes have found Hypomyces chrysospermus attacking their quarry. The fungus begins on the mushroom's pore surface as a white, powdery mold, but it quickly spreads across the mushroom, sometimes engulfing it entirely and distorting it into something nearly unrecognizable. When mature, Hypomyces chrysospermus turns from white to golden yellow--and eventually becomes reddish brown (though neither the mushroom nor the mold is very often seen in this last stage, since decay has set in). Description: Ecology: Parasitic on various species of boletes, which have diverse habitats; widely distributed and very common. Fruit Body: A powdery, mold-like covering that is at first white, then golden yellow, and finally reddish brown. Microscopic Features: Spores vary between development stages. In white stage 10-30 x 5-12 µ, elliptical, smooth; in yellow stage 10-25 µ, round, warty; in final stage 25-30 x 5-6 µ, spindle-shaped, septate (with a separating wall). Asci 110-150 x 6.5-9 µ. ( http://www.mushroomexpert.com/hypomyces_... )