The Peat Mould, Chromelosporium Ollare, Conidial State of Peziza Ostracoderma, and its Misapplied Names, Botrytis Crystallina, Botrytis Spectabilis, Ostracoderma Epigaeum and Peziza Atrovinosa

SUMMARY

Peat mould has received several names and has been assigned to many different genera. Recent literature has unfortunately been burdened by misapplied names for both the conidial and apothecial states. This paper clarifies the history of the fungus, establishes its correct nomenclature, discards misapplied names, and offers a morphological redescription of both states with ecological comments and notes on related species. The apothecial state is correctly Pezisa ostracoderma. Though the conidial state is here termed Chromelosporium ollare, that name is provisional and will not be technically correct until a change in the starting point for these fungi is enacted; until then, C. fulva should be used and is the correct name under the current “International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.”