Phlebopus
Encyclopedia
Phlebopus is a genus
of fungi in the family Boletinellaceae
(suborder Sclerodermatineae of the Boletales
order). The genus has a widespread distribution in subtropical and pantropical
regions, and contains 12 species. The species are saprobic, with some possibly able to form mycorrhiza
e with exotic trees in certain conditions. It contains the gigantic Phlebopus marginatus
, the cap
of which can reach 1 m (3.3 ft) in diameter.
of Boletus
by Roger Heim
in 1936, and raised to generic status by Rolf Singer
that year. It was later redescribed with another type species
(Phaeogyroporus braunii) under the name Phaeogyroporus by Rolf Singer
in 1944. This name was used until 1981, when a specimen of Phlebopus colossus was collected and mycologist Paul Heinemann designated it as the lectotype
.
The genus name is derived from the Greek
Φλεβο- "vein" and πους "foot".
, but distinguished by its olive-brown to brown spore print
, its stem which is never hollow, and its smooth spore
s which are brownish when viewed with a light microscope.
around the roots of species of Citrus
in Brazil covering colonies of the comstock mealybug Pseudococcus comstocki which attack the roots of these plants after they have been carried there by ants (Solenopsis saevissima
var. moelleri); these mycelial crusts are called criptas by Brazilian writers. The Pseudococcus living in symbiosis
with the fungus is believed to be the immediate reason for the subsequent death of the affected trees, but the action of an endotrophic mycorrhiza
l fungus weakens the plant before the attack of the Pseudococcus takes place.
Phlebopus portentosus is a popular edible
in the cuisine of northern Thailand. P. bruchii is consumed as an edible in Argentina.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of fungi in the family Boletinellaceae
Boletinellaceae
Boletinellaceae are a small family of mushrooms, primarily characterized by small pores on the underside of the mushroom rather than gills. Though in the order Boletales, new research shows they and Gyroporaceae are more closely related to earthballs of Sclerodermataceae than Boletaceae.Genera...
(suborder Sclerodermatineae of the Boletales
Boletales
The Boletales are an order of Agaricomycetes, containing over 1300 species with a diverse array of fruiting body types. The boletes are the best known members of this group, and until recently, the Boletales were thought to only contain boletes...
order). The genus has a widespread distribution in subtropical and pantropical
Pantropical
In biogeography, a pantropical distribution one which covers tropical regions of all of the major continents, i.e. in Africa, in Asia and in the Americas. Examples include the plant genera Acacia and Bacopa....
regions, and contains 12 species. The species are saprobic, with some possibly able to form mycorrhiza
Mycorrhiza
A mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a vascular plant....
e with exotic trees in certain conditions. It contains the gigantic Phlebopus marginatus
Phlebopus marginatus
Phlebopus marginatus, known as the Salmon gum mushroom in Western Australia, is a member of the Boletales or pored fungi and possibly Australia's largest terrestrial mushroom with the weight of one specimen from Victoria recorded at 29 kg . It is an imposing sight in forests of southeastern...
, the cap
Pileus (mycology)
The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium. The hymenium may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus...
of which can reach 1 m (3.3 ft) in diameter.
Taxonomy
The genus was originally described as a subgenusSubgenus
In biology, a subgenus is a taxonomic rank directly below genus.In zoology, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between the generic name and the specific epithet: e.g. the Tiger Cowry of the Indo-Pacific, Cypraea tigris Linnaeus, which...
of Boletus
Boletus
Boletus is a genus of mushroom, comprising over 100 species. The genus Boletus was originally broadly defined and described by Elias Magnus Fries in 1821, essentially containing all fungi with pores...
by Roger Heim
Roger Heim
Roger Heim was a French botanist specialising in mycology and tropical phytopathology. He was known for his studies describing the anatomy of the mushroom hymenium, the systematics and phylogeny of higher fungi , the mycology of tropical fungi such as...
in 1936, and raised to generic status by Rolf Singer
Rolf Singer
Rolf Singer was a German-born mycologist and one of the most important taxonomists of gilled mushrooms in the 20th century....
that year. It was later redescribed with another type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
(Phaeogyroporus braunii) under the name Phaeogyroporus by Rolf Singer
Rolf Singer
Rolf Singer was a German-born mycologist and one of the most important taxonomists of gilled mushrooms in the 20th century....
in 1944. This name was used until 1981, when a specimen of Phlebopus colossus was collected and mycologist Paul Heinemann designated it as the lectotype
Lectotype
In botanical nomenclature and zoological nomenclature, a lectotype is a kind of name-bearing type. When a species was originally described on the basis of a name-bearing type consisting of multiple specimens, one of those may be designated as the lectotype...
.
The genus name is derived from the Greek
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
Φλεβο- "vein" and πους "foot".
Description
Phlebopus is similar in appearance to species in the genus GyrodonGyrodon
Gyrodon is a genus of pored mushroom bearing close affinity to the genus Paxillus. Recent molecular research has confirmed this relationship of the two genera as sister groups, together lying near the base of a phylogenetic tree from which the genus Boletus arises.Species include Gyrodon lividus of...
, but distinguished by its olive-brown to brown spore print
Spore print
thumb|300px|right|Making a spore print of the mushroom Volvariella volvacea shown in composite: mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; cap removed after 24 hours showing pinkish-tan spore print...
, its stem which is never hollow, and its smooth spore
Spore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
s which are brownish when viewed with a light microscope.
Importance
Phlebopus tropicus has been shown to form a crust of myceliumMycelium
thumb|right|Fungal myceliaMycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. The mass of hyphae is sometimes called shiro, especially within the fairy ring fungi. Fungal colonies composed of mycelia are found in soil and on or within many other...
around the roots of species of Citrus
Citrus
Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the rue family, Rutaceae. Citrus is believed to have originated in the part of Southeast Asia bordered by Northeastern India, Myanmar and the Yunnan province of China...
in Brazil covering colonies of the comstock mealybug Pseudococcus comstocki which attack the roots of these plants after they have been carried there by ants (Solenopsis saevissima
Solenopsis saevissima
Solenopsis saevissima, commonly known in Brazil as formiga ruiva , is one of more than 185 species in the genus Solenopsis. It, along with 12 other species, is also a member of the Solenopsis saevissima species-group....
var. moelleri); these mycelial crusts are called criptas by Brazilian writers. The Pseudococcus living in symbiosis
Symbiosis
Symbiosis is close and often long-term interaction between different biological species. In 1877 Bennett used the word symbiosis to describe the mutualistic relationship in lichens...
with the fungus is believed to be the immediate reason for the subsequent death of the affected trees, but the action of an endotrophic mycorrhiza
Mycorrhiza
A mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a vascular plant....
l fungus weakens the plant before the attack of the Pseudococcus takes place.
Phlebopus portentosus is a popular edible
Edible mushroom
Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruiting bodies of several species of fungi. Mushrooms belong to the macrofungi, because their fruiting structures are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand...
in the cuisine of northern Thailand. P. bruchii is consumed as an edible in Argentina.
Species
- Phlebopus beniensis
- Phlebopus brasiliensis
- Phlebopus braunii
- Phlebopus bruchii
- Phlebopus colossus
- Phlebopus cystidiosus
- Phlebopus harleyi
- Phlebopus latiporus
- Phlebopus marginatusPhlebopus marginatusPhlebopus marginatus, known as the Salmon gum mushroom in Western Australia, is a member of the Boletales or pored fungi and possibly Australia's largest terrestrial mushroom with the weight of one specimen from Victoria recorded at 29 kg . It is an imposing sight in forests of southeastern...
- Phlebopus portentosus
- Phlebopus silvaticus
- Phlebopus tropicus
- Phlebopus viperinus
- Phlebopus xanthopus