A new subspecies of Mycenastrum corium from Colorado

Abstract

During field work in Colorado an unusual form of Mycenastrum corium with a deep rusty red to reddish orange gleba was found. The species exists worldwide and lacks a previous description of the gleba at maturity other than olive brown, brown to purple brown. A subspecies is proposed for this unusual population found in an area where normal populations with the typical glebal color are found.

• Basidiomycetes
• Lycoperdales
• Mycenastraceae

Denver Botanic Gardens acknowledges the financial support of the Pauline A. Morrison Endowment for Mycology and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District funds. We thank Patricia Eckel, Missouri Botanical Gardens, for the Latin diagnosis. We also thank the city of Wheat Ridge Colorado, Parks and Recreation Department, and the Park Naturalist, Margaret Paget. We also are grateful for the assistance of volunteer Robert D. Brace. Hope Miller read and corrected the manuscript.