Dacrymyces capitatus

What You Should Know

Dacrymyces capitatus is closely related to Dacrymyces stillatus and like the latter forms small, cushion-shaped fruiting bodies. It differs, however in possessing a rooted base, and smaller basidiospores. Another distinguishing feature, though not definitive, is the tendency of Dacrymyces stillatus to produce "imperfect" fruitings, i.e. where only conidia (arthrospores) are formed, typically in chains. These types of fruitings are common in the S.F. Bay Area. At other times, however, sexual fruitings may predominate, or both sexual and asexual spores may occur on the same fruiting body.

This species was described by Ludwig David von Schweinitz in 1832.

Dacrymyces capitatus Mushroom Identification

1. Ecology

   Saprobic; growing gregariously on the wood of hardwoods; spring through fall; originally described from Pennsylvania; widely distributed in North America but absent or uncommon in the southwestern United States; also found in Central America, South America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.

2. Fruiting Body

   2–6 mm across; more or less cushion-shaped above a fairly clearly defined, central stem-like structure that roots into the substrate; upper surface yellow to orangish-yellow, bald, occasionally with brain-like wrinkles; stem surface finely fuzzy and whitish to yellowish; flesh gelatinous.

3. Odor

   Not distinctive.

4. Microscopic Features

   Spores 12–15 x 4.5–7 µm; allantoid; apiculate; smooth; hyaline in KOH, with many oil droplets; tardily becoming septate with 3 thin septa. Probasidia subclavate to clavate; developing 2 short, stubby apical protrusions that eventually extend to become sterigmata on mature basidia. Basidia Y-shaped. Contextual hyphae 1.5–2.5 µm wide; smooth or a little roughened; hyaline in KOH; clamp connections not found.

Dacrymyces capitatus Synonyms

1. Dacryopsida nuda (Berk. & Broome) Massee

2. Dacrymyces deliquescens ellisii (Coker) L.L. Kenn. 1959

3. Dacrymyces stipitatus (Bourdot & Galzin) Neuhoff 1936

4. Dacrymyces ellisii Coker 1920

5. Dacrymyces deliquescens stipitata Bourdot & Galzin 1909

6. Dacryopsis ulicis (Plowr.) Sacc. & P. Syd. 1902

7. Dacryomitra nuda (Berk. & Broome) Pat. 1900

8. Ditiola ulicis Plowr. 1899

9. Dacryopsis nuda (Berk. & Broome) Massee 1891

10. Ditiola nuda Berk. 1848

11. Dacrymyces lutescens

Sources:

Photo 1 - Author: amy_e (amye) (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported)

Photo 2 - Author: Richard Sullivan (enchplant) (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported)

Photo 3 - Author: Richard Sullivan (enchplant) (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported)