Snowbank fungus
Encyclopedia
A snowbank fungus is any one of a number of diverse species of fungi
that occur adjacent to or within melting snow. They are most commonly found in the mountains of western North America
where a deep snowpack
accumulates during the winter and slowly melts through the spring and summer, often shaded by coniferous forest. They may be saprotrophic, mycorrhizal, or in the case of Caloscypha fulgens
, pathogen
ic.
Species include:
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
that occur adjacent to or within melting snow. They are most commonly found in the mountains of western North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
where a deep snowpack
Snowpack
Snowpack forms from layers of snow that accumulate in geographic regions and high altitudes where the climate includes cold weather for extended periods during the year. Snowpacks are an important water resource that feed streams and rivers as they melt. Snowpacks are the drinking water source for...
accumulates during the winter and slowly melts through the spring and summer, often shaded by coniferous forest. They may be saprotrophic, mycorrhizal, or in the case of Caloscypha fulgens
Caloscypha
Caloscypha is a fungal genus in the Caloscyphaceae family . A monotypic genus, it contains the single species Caloscypha fulgens, commonly known as the spring orange peel fungus, the golden cup, or the dazzling cup...
, pathogen
Pathogen
A pathogen gignomai "I give birth to") or infectious agent — colloquially, a germ — is a microbe or microorganism such as a virus, bacterium, prion, or fungus that causes disease in its animal or plant host...
ic.
Species include:
- Caloscypha fulgensCaloscyphaCaloscypha is a fungal genus in the Caloscyphaceae family . A monotypic genus, it contains the single species Caloscypha fulgens, commonly known as the spring orange peel fungus, the golden cup, or the dazzling cup...
- Clitocybe glacialisClitocybe glacialisClitocybe glacialis is a species of mushroom in the family Tricholomataceae. Formerly known as Lyophyllum montanum, this is a snowbank mushroom, always associated with melting snow along snowbanks...
- Disciotis venosaDisciotis venosaDisciotis venosa, commonly known as the veiny cup fungus, or the cup morel, is a species of fungus in the Morchellaceae family. Fruiting in April and May, they are often difficult to locate because of their nondescript brown color. Found in North America and Europe, they appear to favor banks and...
- Gyromitra gigasGyromitra gigasGyromitra gigas, commonly known as the snow morel, snow false morel, calf brain, or bull nose, is a fungus and a member of the Ascomycota. G. gigas is found in Europe, western North America where it is common in mountainous areas in coniferous forests, and eastern North America where it is found...
- Hygrophorus goetziiHygrophorus goetziiHygrophorus goetzii is a species of fungus in the family Hygrophoraceae. It is a snowbank mushroom with a rosy-pink cap that fades to cream color in maturity. Its spores measure 12–15 by 7–9 µm. The edibility of this species has not been tested....
- Hygrophorus subalpinusHygrophorus subalpinusHygrophorus subalpinus, commonly known as the subalpine waxycap, is a species of fungus in the family Hygrophoraceae. Found in the mountains of western North America, it is found growing on the ground under conifers, usually near snowbanks....
- Mycena overholtsiiMycena overholtsiiMycena overholtsii, commonly known as the snowbank fairy helmet or fuzzy foot, is a species of fungus in the Mycenaceae family. The mushrooms produced by the fungus are relatively large for the genus Mycena, with convex grayish caps up to in diameter and stems up to long...
- Plectania nannfeldtiiPlectania nannfeldtiiPlectania nannfeldtii, commonly known as Nannfeldt's Plectania, the black felt cup, or the black snowbank cup fungus, is a species of fungus in the family Sarcosomataceae. The fruit bodies of this species resemble small, black, goblet-shaped shallow cups up to wide, with stems up to long attached...
- Ramaria botrytisRamaria botrytisRamaria botrytis, commonly known as the cauliflower coral, the pink-tipped coral mushroom, or the clustered coral, is an edible species of coral fungus in the Gomphaceae family. Its fruit body, which can grow up to in diameter and tall, resembles a marine coral, and it is identifiable by its...