02-12-2025 18:59
Malcolm Greaves
This pair of ascos 2.5cm across were on recently b
02-12-2025 19:25
Buckwheat PeteHello, can anyone identify this hairy fungus growi
30-11-2025 12:53
Edvin Johannesen
White short-stipitate apothecia found on thin twig
30-11-2025 10:47
William Slosse
I recently found a collection of small Peziza sp.
27-11-2025 12:01
Thomas Læssøehttps://svampe.databasen.org/observations/10496727
27-11-2025 11:46
Thomas Læssøehttps://svampe.databasen.org/observations/10493918
I recently collected and incubated some cow dung from Longshaw in Derbyshire. Several common species were present and identified but I am having difficulty in putting a name to this one. My original thoughts were of a Coprotus but now have doubts.
Fruitbody 0.5 - 1 mm
Spore size = 17.2 - 20 x 9.8 - 11 micron
Ascus = 190 - 210 x 24 micron
Mz = Negative
Any help as always much appreciated
Best Wishes - John
With the granular spores try Thecotheus.
Mal
Beat me to it Nicolas
I had considered Iodophanus. Will re check and look at Thecotheus too
Michel.
You say Meltzers negative but have a couple of photos with strong blue cast was this another stain? Iodophanus stains very strongly in Meltzers.
Mal
I can only put down my comment on a negative reaction to Melzers as another senior moment ;-)
I agree with Iodophanus carneus. But:
I don't think the species is variable, at least I know it rather constant.
If you have the fungus stil fresh, I beg you to make a mount in tap water without any ingredients:
- The paraphyses should be multiguttulate (strikingly, but don't press on the slide).
- The asci of this species are somewhat hemiamyloid, which means that Melzer's may be rather negative but Lugol positive, and only when you put it first in KOH, then Melzer gives also a strong bvlue reaction.
Of course, your emptied asci are clearly blue, only those which contain spores are not visibly amyloid.
Zotto
I still have fresh material and will do a tap water mount as you suggest
Best Wishes - John
Greetings Peter.
Splendid, the ascus is fully turgescent and I see the guttules in the paraphyses, though not many. The iodine reaction is not spectacular, but it is there.
Zotto
Yes, it was an excellent week at Wentworth Castle Zotto. I learnt so much from so many!