Fungal Flora of Carden Plain Fall 2005

January 18, 2006

Members of the Mycological Society of Toronto undertook an inventory of the fungi occurring on the Carden Plain in September, focussing on the Cameron and the Windmill Ranches. Both these areas include extensive areas of alvar and alvar pavement, alvar grasslands, open shrub communities (alvar shrub savannah), forest, and marshlands. A total of 118 different species of fungi were found during 2005.

Fungi in alvar communities have not been studied in detail, and we are not aware of any other detailed studies. Following this work, we intend to extend the inventory into future years to provide a fuller account of the fungi occurring in the habitats, and to lead to more complete information on the functioning of alvar ecosystems. This report deals mainly the results of work undertaken during the fall, and should be read in conjunction with the Interim Report covering the June 2005 foray. Members of the team participating in the 2005 forays were Richard Aaron, Pat Burchell, Negin Ghanavatian, Brenda Gibson, Nancy Ironside, Vello Soots, John Sparling, Michael Warnock, and Tony and Marianna Wright.

Fungi were recorded from alvar and pavement alvar communities (A), alvar grasslands (G), shrub open savannah (S), and forest (F). Two days were spent at the Cameron property (C) and one day at the Windmill Ranch (W). The weather for the five days before the visit was warm with little rainfall. A few days before the foray some rain fell

The species found are provided below. The arrangement of sections, as in the spring interim report, follows Lamoureux (Cercle des Mycologues de Montreal, Liste des Espèces Herborisées, 2004). The species found in each alvar community were recorded, and specimens collected for microscopic examination and confirmation.

Discussion

118 species were found covering a wide range of fungal groups; however, there are notable exceptions and scarcity in some groups while others are well represented. Few fungi were present on the open alvar, but higher numbers were encountered in the shrub communities and in wooded areas.

Nine species of slime moulds were found, including the large fruiting bodies of Fuligo septica. The easily recognisable aethalia of Lycogala epidendrum were common on bare logs in the wetter forests.

Amongst the Ascomycetes, were the Blue-stain Fungus, Chlorocibora aeruginescens, producing large colourful areas on well-rotted logs, and Dead Man’s Fingers, Xylaria polymorpha; the black fruiting bodies appearing on logs in several parts of the alvar forests.

Interestingly, there were a large number of bracket fungi or polypores, fungi that inhabit dead, decaying or even healthy trees. Many grow on trees and appear to create few problems, while others can bring about the death of the host. Four species of Polyporus were found. Fomes fomentarius, the tinder polypore, common on dead trees, was once used as tinder for starting fires. The Red-banded Polypore was common on spruce, and

quite attractive. Ganoderma tsugae which grows on hemlock, was found on a few trees, easily identified by its host and the shining chestnut coloured bracket. The abundance of the polypores, contrasts with the sparseness or absence of most of the mycorrhizal fungi.

A crucial point brought out by this survey is the lack of certain fungal groups normally associated with forming mycorrhizal association with shrubs and trees. The paucity of members in the Amanitaceae, Boletales, Russulales is noteworthy. These species are largely mycorrhizal, and vital for healthy tree growth. Further, they are known to be adversely affected by increased nutrients added to the soil and by surface soil disturbance. This is of concern for the forest tree health. It is clear that the extensive grazing over a long time period has contributed to this condition. The abundance of the fungi within Basidiomycetes (Coprinus and Paneolus) which include Coprinus (5 species), Psathyrella and Stropharia, many of which respond to high nutrient level and may be predominantly associated with the presence of dung, is a further indication of the long term effects of grazing. Two of the Coprinus species found are rare, and it seems that the abundance of this group of fungi is an indicator of this disturbance and enrichment factor. It seems probable that the soil surface fauna and flora, including bryophytes, may be also affected. Long-term management of the alvar could consider a series of measures including burning and mechanical cutting rather than reliance on grazing alone. Selected sections of the alvar forest could be fenced to prevent grazing in order to re-establish a healthy soil microflora in the wooded areas.

Puffballs were well represented, especially the two Bovista species which were very common on the alvar and shrubland. We were excited to find the rare Mycenastrum corium. This puffball is slightly larger than a baseball, and is occasionally found around corrals in western Canada, but less frequently in eastern Canada. We collected a specimen and forwarded it with full documentation to the National Herbarium in Ottawa.

We thank Ron Reid of the Couchiching Conservancy for encouragement and assistance in many ways. We also thank Joan Rosebush for kind help and logistical support.

The table on the following pages summarizes the species found.

Fungi Identified During the September Foray

Species

A

G

S

F

Details

Myxomycetes (Slime Moulds)

Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa (Alb.&Schw.)List.

Found in the Spring Forays. In various morphological stages.

Enteridium lycoperdon(Bulliard)Farr.

Found in the Spring Forays

Fuligo septica (Linn.)Wigg.

W

W/C

Lycogala epidendrum (Linn.)Fr.

W

W/C

.

Metatrichia vesparium (Batsch.) Nan- Brem

C

Physarum viride (Bull) Pers

W

Stemonitis axifera (Bull.)T.Macb.

Found in the Spring Forays

Trichia favoginea (Batsch.) Pers

W

Tubifera ferruginosa (Batsch.)Gmel.

W

Total 9

Ascomycetes (Cup Fungi)

Apiosporina morbosa (Schwein:Fr) Arx

W

W

Bisporella citrina (Batsch:Fr) Korf &

S.E. Carp

W/C

Chlorociboria aeruginascens (Nyl.) Kan.exRam.,Korf&Batra

W/C

Staining wood, few fruiting bodies.

Daldinia concentrica (Bolt.exFr.)Ces&DeNot

Found in the Spring Forays

Dasyscyphus niveus (R Hedw:Fr) Sacc.

W

Dasyscyphus cf. virgineus S.F.G.

Found in the Spring Forays

Peziza sp?

Found in the Spring Forays

Phaeocalicium polyporaeum (Nyl) Tibell

W

On bracket fungus, Trametes.

Scutellina scutellata (L.exFr.)Lamb.

C

Sporormiella pilosella (Cain) S.Ahmed

& Cain.

Found in the Spring Forays .In cedars woods, on the ground on dung.

Ustulina deusta (Fr.) Pers

W/C

Xylaria polymorpha (Pers.) Grev.

C

Total 12

Coelomycetes (fungi imperfecti)

Myrothecium sp.

C

Several colonies on decorticated twig.

Total 1

Basidiomycetes (Sac Fungi)

Calocera cornea (Batsch ex. Fr) Fr

C

Dacrymyces palmatus (Schw.)Bres.

W/C

Exidea sp.

Found in the Spring Forays

Total 3

Basidiomycetes (Polypores, Stereum and analogues)

Bjerkandera adusta (Fr.) Kar

W/C

Cerrena unicolor (Bull.:Fr.)Murr.

W

Daedaleopsis confragosa (Fr.) Schroer

W/C

Fomes fomentarius (Linn.:Fr)Kickx.

W/C

Fomitopsis pinicola (Fr.) Kar

Found in the Spring Forays

Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.)Pat

W/C

Ganoderma tsugae Murr.

Found in the Spring Forays

Gloeophyllum sepiarium (Fr.)Karst.

Found in the Spring Forays

Gloeoporus dichrous (Fr:Fr) Bres

W

Hydnochaete olivaceum (Schwein:Fr.) Bank.

W

Hydnochaete tabacina (Berk & M.A>Curtis ex Fr.) Ryvarden

W

Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pil

C

Irpex lacteus (Fr.:Fr.)Fr.

Found in the Spring Forays

Laetiporus sulphureus (Fr.)Murr

C

Merulius cf tremellosus Schrad. Ex Fr.

W

Phellinus cf. contiguous (Pers) Pat

W

Piptoporus betulinus (Fr.)Kar

Found in the Spring Forays

Polyporus badius (S.F.G.) Schw.

W/C

Polyporus brumalis Fr.

W

Polyporus mori Poll.:Fr.

W/C

Polyporus squamosus Huds.:Fr.

Found in the Spring Forays

Schizophyllum commune Fr.:Fr

W

Stereum ostrea (Blume&Nees ex.Fr.)Fr.

Found in the Spring Forays

Trametes conchifer (Schw.)Murr

On dead elm log. (Poronidulus conchifer)

Trametes elegans (Sprengl.:Fr.)Fr.

Found in the Spring Forays

Trametes hirsuta (Wulf.:Fr.)Pilat

Found in the Spring Forays

Trametes versicolor (Fr.)Pil.

W/C

Trichaptum biforme (Fr.in Kl.)Ryv.

W/C

Tyromyces chioneus (Fr.) Kar.

C

Total 29

Basidiomycetes (Tooth Fungi, Hydnum and allies)

Hericium americanum Ginns

W

Heracium coralloides (Scop:Fr) Pers

C

Total 2

Basidiomycetes (Clavaria and similar fungi.)

Clavicorona pyxidata (Fr.) Doty

C

Multiclavula mucida (Fr.) Per.

W/C

Total 2

Basidiomycetes (Chanterelles and related fungi)

Total 0

Basidiomycetes (Pleurotus and related fungi)

Lentinellus ursinus (Fr.) Kuh.

W

Phyllotopsis nidulans (Pers ex Fr) Sing

W

Pleurocybella porrigens (Pers ex Fr.) Sing

C

Total 3

Basidiomycetes (Hygrophorus and related species).

Hygrocybe cantharellus (Schw.)Murr.

Found in the Spring Forays

Total 1

Basidiomycetes (Tricholoma and related fungi)

Armillaria ostoyae (Romag.) Herink

W

Armillaria cf. mellea (Vahl ) P Kumm.

W/C

Clitocybe subconnexa Murrill

W

Clitocybe truncicola (Peck) Sacc.

W/C

Pseudoclitocybe cyathiformis (Bull:Fr0 Sing.

W/C

Resupinatus applicatus (Bat.exFr.)S.F.G.

Found in the Spring Forays

Tricholomopsis rutilans (Schaeff ex Fr.) Sing

C

W

Total 7

Basidiomycetes (Marasmius, Mycena, Collybias and allies.)

Gymnopus dryophilus (Bull.:Fr.)Murr

Found in the Spring Forays

Megacollybia platyphylla (Pers.:Fr.)Kot.&Pov.

Found in the Spring Forays

Marasmius oreades (Bolt.exFr.)Fr

C

Marasmius rotula (Scop.exFr.)Fr.

Found in the Spring Forays

Mycena albidula (Peck.)A.N.Sm.

Found in the Spring Forays

Mycena galericulata (Scop.:Fr.)S.F.Gray

Found in the Spring Forays

Mycena leaiana (Berk.)Sacc.

Found in the Spring Forays

Rhodocollybia butyracea (Bull.:exFr.) Lennox

Found in the Spring Forays

Rhodocollybia maculata (Alb.&Schwein.) Sing.

W/C

Rickenella fibula (Bull:Fr) Raith

C

Xerula furfuracea (Peck.)Redh.Ginn.& Shoem.

Found in the Spring Forays

Xerula megalospora (Clem.)Redh.Ginn.& Shoem.

Found in the Spring Forays

Total 12

Basidiomycetes (Corts, Hebeloma and allies)

Cortinarius sp.

Found in the Spring Forays

Crepidotus applanatus (Pers.)Kumm

W

On rotting maple and elm wood.

Crepidotus herbarum (Peck.)Saccardo

Found in the Spring Forays

Crepidotus mollis (Schaeff.:Fr.)Staude

C

Galerina autumnalis (Pk) AHS & Sing.

W/C

Gymnopilus sapineus (Fr:Fr) Maire

W

Hebeloma sp.

Waterlogged specimen.

Inocybe dulcamara (Alb.&Schw.)Kumm.

Found in the Spring Forays

Total 8

Basidiomycetes (Agrocybe, Conocybe and allies)

Agrocybe pediades (Fr.:Fr.)Fayod

W

Found in the Spring Forays. (=A. semiorbicularis (Bull.)Fayod)

Conocybe lacteus (Lange)Metr.

Found in the Spring Forays

Conocybe tenera (Schaeff.:Fr.)Fayod

W

Found in the Spring Forays

Total 3

Basidiomycetes (Hypholoma, Pholiota and allies)

Pholiota limonella (Peck) Sacc.

W

On sugar maple

Total 1

Basidiomycetes (Coprinus and Paneolus)

Coprinus disseminatus (Pers.:Fr.)S.F.Gray

Found in the Spring Forays

Coprinus micaceus (Bull.:Fr.)Fr.

W/C

W/C

In mature woods, Found in the Spring Forays

Coprinus quadrifidus Pk.

W/C

One large fruiting on rotting log

Coprinus niveus (Pers.:Fr)Fr.

W/C

Coprinus xanthrothrix Romagn.

Found in the Spring Forays

Panaeolus sphinctrinus (Fr.)Quel.

W

Found in the Spring Forays, (=P. campanulatus (L.:Fr.)Quel.ss.auct.)

Panaeolus fimicola (Fr.)Quel.

Found in the Spring Forays

Psathyrella hydrophila (Fr.) Maire

W

Psathyrella cf melanthina (Fr.) Kits van Wav.

W

Stropharia umbonatescens (Peck) Sacc

W

Total 10

Basidiomycetes (Agraricus and Lepiota)

Agaricus campestris L ex Fr.

C

C

Agaricus semotus Fr.

W

Leucoagaricus naucinus (Fr.)Sing.

Found in the Spring Forays Mainly in grassland with dung.

Total 3

Basidiomycetes (Pluteus and related fungi)

Pluteus cervinus (Schaeff.)Kumm.

W/C

Pluteus hispidulus (Fr:Fr) Gill

W

Pluteus romellii (Britz) Sacc

W

(= P. lutescens)

Pluteus thomsonii (Berk.&Br.)Dennis

W

On rotted log.

Pluteus umbrosus (Pers.:Fr.)Kumm.

W

On rotting wood in soil.

Total 5

Basidiomycetes (Amanitas)

Total 0

Basidiomycetes (Entoloma and allies)

Entoloma hebes (Romagn.) Trimbach

W

Total 1

Basidiomycetes (Lactarius and Russula)

Total 0

Basidiomycetes (Paxillus and related fungi)

Total 0

Basiomycetes (Boletes and related fungi)

Total 0

Basidiomycetes (Gasteromycetes)

Bovista pila Berk.& Curr.

C

W/C

C/W

W

Bovista plumbea Pers.:Pers.

C

C

W

Several in open areas.

Lycoperdon perlatum Pers.

C

C

C

Lycoperdom pyriforme Schaeff ex Pers

C

W/C

Mycenastrum corium (Guer) ex Pers.

C

Rare, specimen forwarded to the National Herbarium in Ottawa.

Phallus impudicus L.:Pers.

Found in the Spring Forays. At the egg stage

Total 6
Grand Total 118

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