Trichoglossum hirsutum

Trichoglossum hirsutum is a species of fungus in the family Geoglossaceae. In the UK, it has been given the recommended English name of hairy earthtongue.[1] In North America it is known variously as velvety earth tongue, shaggy earth tongue, or black earth tongue. DNA evidence suggests the hairy earthtongue may be a species complex.

Trichoglossum hirsutum
Trichoglossum hirsutum, Germany
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Geoglossomycetes
Order: Geoglossales
Family: Geoglossaceae
Genus: Trichoglossum
Species:
T. hirsutum
Binomial name
Trichoglossum hirsutum
(Pers.) Boud. (1907)
Synonyms
  • Geoglossum hirsutum Pers. (1794)

Taxonomy

The species was first described by mycologist Christian Hendrik Persoon in 1794 as Geoglossum hirsutum. In 1907 Jean Louis Émile Boudier transferred the species to his new genus Trichoglossum, of which it is the type. Initial molecular research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences, indicates that Trichoglossum hirsutum sensu lato comprises at least three separate taxa in Europe and North America, though these may not be morphologically distinguishable. At least one of these cryptic species occurs in both continents.[2]

Description

Ascocarps are club-shaped, up to 90 mm (3.5 in) tall, black to dark brown, with a swollen, spore-bearing head, up to a quarter or half the ascocarp height, and a finely hirsute, cylindrical stipe (stem). Microscopically, dark, thick-walled, acute setae are present. The asci are 8-spored, the ascospores 110–160 × 5–7 μm, becoming 15-septate at maturity.[2]

The epithet hirsutum (Latin: 'hairy') refers to the fine hairs (setae) that cover the ascocarp.[3]

Similar species

All Trichoglossum species appear similar in the field and can only be identified by microscopic examination. Superficially similar species of Geoglossum lack setae and are not finely hirsute under a hand lens.

Conservation

In Europe the short-spored earthtongue is typical of waxcap grasslands, a declining habitat due to changing agricultural practices.

  • Trichoglossum hirsutum stipe
    Trichoglossum hirsutum stipe
  • Trichoglossum hirsutum
    Trichoglossum hirsutum
  • Trichoglossum hirsutum spores 400x phase contrast
    Trichoglossum hirsutum spores 400x phase contrast
  • Trichoglossum hirsutum spores 400x brightfield
    Trichoglossum hirsutum spores 400x brightfield

References
  1. Holden L. (April 2022). "English names for fungi 2022". British Mycological Society. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  2. Hustad VP (2015). "A circumscription of the earth tongue fungi: class Geoglossomycetes". Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  3. Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. pp. 242–243. ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.


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