Scientific name: Leotia viscosa Fr.
Derivation of name: Leot- means "smooth." Visc- means
"sticky" or viscid in reference to the stickiness of this smooth
fungus when moist.
Synonyms: See comments.
Common name(s): Green-headed jelly club.
Phylum: Ascomycota
Order: Helotiales
Family: Leotiaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate: Saprobic; in clusters on the
ground and well-decayed wood; July through October.
Dimensions: Green-headed jelly club may be up to 6.5 cm tall
with a well-defined head.
Description: The olive-green to dark green head is distinctive
together with the pale yellow to yellow-orange stalk. These
fungi are rubbery or gelatinous in texture.
Edibility: Unknown.
Comments: Leotia viscosa is considered by some authors
to be a synonym of Leotia lubrica. But see comments under
L. lubrica.
More information at MushroomExpert.com:
|
Figure 1. Although called jelly fungi, these organisms are
ascomycetes, forming asci and ascospores unlike the true
jelly fungi which are basidiomycetes.
Photo © Pam Kaminski.
Figure 2. Leotia viscosa collected during a
foray.
Photo © Gary Emberger.
|