Hypomyces Chrysospermus

Hypomyces chrysospermus is a parasitic fungal species that primarily infects Bolete fungi.

Bolete parasitized by H. chrysospermus
Figure 1. Bolete parasitized by H. chrysospermus

Hypomyces chrysospermus (Tul. & C. Tul.)

Ecology and Morphology: Hypomyces chrysospermus is a parasitic fungal species that primarily infects Bolete fungi. Numerous Boletes within a given area can be infected and appear completely white. H. chrysospermus completely covers infected mushrooms with floccose hyphae, causing them to appear completely white in its early infection. However, later in the season the white coloring will turn to yellow as the parasite decomposes the infected mushroom. H. chrysospermus will have 3 different spore morphologies depending on its age. This collection was made early on in the infection process (white stage) and thus has smooth, ellipsoid spores. No intact asci were observed.

Taxonomy:

  • Kingdom: Fungi
  • Phylum: Ascomycota
  • Class: Sordariomycetes
  • Order: Hypocreales
  • Family: Hypocreaceae
  • Genus: Hypomyces
  • Species: Hypomyces chrysospermus

 

Hypomyces Chrysospermus Figure 2
Figure 2. Smooth, ellipsoid spores of H. chrysospermus.

Literature:

  • Tulasne, L.-R.; Tulasne, C. 1860. De quelques Sphéries fongicoles, à propos d’un mémoire de M. Antoine de Bary sur les Nyctalis. Annales des Sciences Naturelles Botanique. 13:5-19
  • Marrone, T., & Yerich, K. (2014). Mushrooms of the upper Midwest: A simple guide to common mushrooms. Cambridge, MN: Adventure Publications.

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