It looks like Lachnum bicolor, doesn't it?
Its 1 mm wide and may be short stipate.
But microscopically it's like L. virgineum, except a couple of facts.
The paraphyses got some yellowish content:

The spores are 9-13x2-2,5, asci 45-57x4-5, paraphyses lanceolate, 3-5 micrometers wide and hairs 80-120x3-4, septate.
I'm confused.

Hi Marja

I have not a great experience with ascos, but Lachnum bicolor have crystals at the hairs apex. This is a form of L. bicolor I did long time ago: http://www.micobotanicajaen.com/Revista/Articulos/MARibesR/Aportaciones008/Lachnum%20bicolor%20220407%2053.pdf

It is sure not L. virgineum.

Miguel

Hi Marja

I would say this is C. bicolor. Can you tell us more about guttules in the spores and about croziers? This may help to determine your finding ;)

cheers,
kazuya

Hi all

It must be a Capitotricha, but I cannot remember to have ever seen a species on coniferous substate. Generally the substrate is a key character between Lachnellula and Capitotricha. The lanceolate paraphyses clearly exclude Lachnellula, also the apparent presence of crystals on the hairs. Therefore, more details would be welcome, such as

- ascus base (croziers)
- IKI reaction
- spore guttules

I fear the differences to C. bicolor are so low that we cannot be sure about a separate species.

Certainly Marketa Chlebicka would be interested in the material for taking sequences. How plenty is it, and how long was it in the fridge?

Zotto

Hello,

this is all it was there.
It seems to be IKI+. Guttules can be checked from next photo (not , at least big ones).
But Zotto did you have to ask the one thing I didn't check: croziers :(
I was so sure this being some Lachnum....

Marja

Croziers are not easily seen, needs some patience. Perpahs you can try to pick a bit of the hymenium and make a strong squash mount by viewing at the ascus bases.

IKI+ is not enough, was the colour more blue or more reddish? Lachnellulas are either negative or reddish (with enough iodine concentration).

Did you clearly see crystals? The hairs in Capitotricha are distinctly more thick-walled than in Lachnum, also the excipular cells are quite tough and gelatinized due to thick walls.

Zotto

Oh yes, croziers ain't easy. I've only seen them a couple of times.
The fungi are already drying and I think I save the rest of them to someone, who's got better equipment and knowledge.
The IKI+ was faint blue shade at the ascus tips.
And yes, I saw some crystals. Sorry, that I didn't mention them ealier. There was a thunder a while ago and because of bad experience, I shut the computer and internet connection as fast as I could ;)
Here a poor photo of the hairs:

Marja

Thanks, Marja

so this is a further type of substrate for the collective species C. bicolor.

Zotto

Thank you folks, exspecially zotto.
It seems, that this is the second new genus for Finland collected by this green amateur this year :)
I'll take two lifepoints for that... (considering I'm right)

Very happily: Marja

Oops,
so this is a synonym for Lachnum bicolor.
And that is one of the most common species on deciduous trees, for istance birch twigs,

New substate anyway ;)

Marja

I know collections on Alnus and Corylus, but so far not Betula! Apparently the main substrate is changing with the region.

Zotto

J’ai fait des récoltes sur Malus domestica dans un verger abandonné.

Mila

It's really guite common on Betula twigs, but hardwood, too.
I've even found it on Rosa and as it seems on Pinus cones, too :)

In 2003 I found that species on a small Corylus-twig, in 2009 I had a colection of C. rubi on Rubus ;)

cheers,
kazuya

Dear Marja

I hope you keep this collection in order to get more sure about it. I did not get a response from Marketa, maybe she is too busy presently.

I am quite sure about the genus (Capitotricha) because of the lanceolate paraphyses and crystals, but both these characters are not very clearly seen on your pics. Either you try further images wree these two are well visible, or you can send the specimen to me.

Because this would be the first record of Capitotricha on conifers, I would very much like to clarify it.

Or are you abel to find it again?

Zotto

Dear Zotto,

I will send it to you. Just e-mail me an address.
I can't tell weather I'll be able to find it again - time will tell ;)

Marja

Thanks!!

H.-O. Baral
Blaihofstr. 42
D-72074 Tübingen

Germany

Dear Marja

thanks for sending me this specimen. The problem remains somewhat unsolved. The few apothecia I found on the cone appear to be L. virgineum, actually! A bit immature yet, with apically tapered hairs, asci with croziers, paraphyses lanceolate. I did not see the orange pigment in the paraphyses, but some yellowish exudate on the hair bases, strange for a Lachnum. otherwise, it does not look like a Capitotricha. The material is too poor and a bit senescent in order to make more studies. Perhaps the hymenial colour is not original? I can only hope that you make a similar collection at some day.

Zotto

Dear Zotto,
thank you fore studying the specimen.
There were some L. virgineum on the cone, but they were far smaller than these and looked more stipate.

Strange behavior seems to belong to fungal life, too ;)
Some just like to be a little bit wild :)

Marja