Thelephora terrestris
Species of fungus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thelephora terrestris, commonly known as the common fiber vase[2] or earthfan fungus[3] is an inedible species of fungus in the Basidiomycota phylum.[4]
| Thelephora terrestris | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Thelephorales |
| Family: | Thelephoraceae |
| Genus: | Thelephora |
| Species: | T. terrestris |
| Binomial name | |
| Thelephora terrestris Ehrh. (1787) | |
Taxonomy
This fungus was first described by Jakob Friedrich Ehrhart in 1787.[5][6]
Description
Thelephora terrestris is present year round, though is mostly seen July to December.[2] As the basidiome forms, it starts off lighter in colour then turns to a darker shade of brown as it ages.[7] A stipe may not be present, if there is one, it is usually very short.[2] Sometimes the fungus is grown in large colonies.[8] The shape is described as a fan and can grow up to 6 centimetres (2+1⁄4 in) wide.[8] It has been described to have a moldy earth-like smell.[2]
| Thelephora terrestris | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
 | Smooth hymenium |
 | No distinct cap |
 | Hymenium attachment is not applicable |
 | Stipe is bare |
 | Spore print is purple-brown |
 | Ecology is mycorrhizal |
 | Edibility is inedible |
The hyphae of mycorrhizal forms walls that becomes thicker as it ages, while in earlier stages may be spiney.[9] When mating, the hyphae forms clamp connections[7] The spores are purple-brown colour,[2] ellipsoid or angular shape.[8]
The edibility of this fungus is unknown, but it is considered too tough to be worthwhile.[10]
Similar species
Thelephora palmata is comparatively stinky and less widely distributed.[10][11] T. vialis is more robust; Cotylidia diaphana and Podoscypha petalodes are similar; Hydnellum can appear similar but has teeth below.[12]
Habitat and ecology
Throughout North America[2] and Europe[6] Thelephora terrestris can be found in soil. It is commonly found in sandy soils under pine trees, on roots[2] and twigs.[8]
This ectomycorrhizal fungus forms a symbiotic relationship known as mycorrhizae, especially with Pinus species.[7] It is commonly found in pine forests[13] as well as plant nursery soils world wide.[14] This fungus is known to get water and nutrients from far away[15] and being capable of growing in both low fertility and high fertility soils.[3]
It is a dominant mycorrhizal fungus,[14] re-establishes quickly after disturbances such as forest fire, and is considered stress tolerant.[16]
Outside of the Pinus genus, it is also capable of forming mycorrizha with other trees such as alder, birch, oak, beech, and poplar.[3]
Thelephora terrestris virus 1 (TtV1), which is a mycovirus, can infect this fungus.[3]
Physiology
The full life cycle can be reproduced and studied in a laboratory, both ectomycorrhizal form and mushroom form.[17]
Due to the mycotoxins that the fungi produces, it protects pinus trees from root pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi.[14]