Multiple evolutionary origins of sequestrate species in the agaricoid genus Chlorophyllum. Michael Loizides, Pablo Alvaradob, Elias Polemisc, Dimitrios M. Dimoud, Georgios I. Zervakis c, Marco Thines e,f,g, Sabine Tellef, George Konstantinou h, and Matthias Gubei,j.

See also

Chlorophyllum levantinum, sp. nov.. - Cyprus

New mushroom species found in Cyprus: Chlorophyllum levantinum sp. nov. by George and Fani Konstantinou

Tuber aestivum Vittad. (1831) - Summer truffle - Καλοκαιρινή Τρούφα - Cyprus

Ελληνικό κείμενο 

Κορυφαίο εδώδιμο είδος, που καρποφορεί υπόγεια την άνοιξη και το καλοκαίρι. Συναντάτε σε δάση Τραχείας Πεύκης, δασύλλια Δρυός και θαμνότοπους, σε ασβεστολιθικά εδάφη. Η διασπορά των σπορίων γίνετε αποκλειστικά από τα περιττώματα των ζώων που τα καταναλώνουν. Συμβιωτικό με σωρεία από πλατύφυλλα και κωνοφόρα δέντρα όπως Πεύκα, Δρύες, Φουντουκιά κ.ά. (κείμενο από το βιβλίο Εδώδιμα & Τοξικά Μανιτάρια της Κύπρου, 2011).


English text

The summer truffle (Tuber aestivum) or burgundy truffle (Tuber uncinatum) is a species of truffle, found in almost all European countries.

Taxonomy
In cuisine and commerce, particularly in France and Italy, the summer truffle (T. aestivum) is distinguished from the burgundy truffle (T. uncinatum).

However, molecular analysis showed in 2004 that these two varieties of truffle are one species. The differences between them are therefore likely due to environmental factors.
This article uses the older of the two binomial names, T. aestivum, to designate the species, while discussing the characteristics of the two varieties separately.

Summer truffles
The flavor, size and color of summer truffles (Italian: tartufo estivo) is similar to that of burgundy truffles, but their aroma is less intense and the flesh (gleba) is a paler hazel color.

As their name suggests, summer truffles are harvested earlier than burgundy truffles, from May to August. They are most often found in the southern part of the distribution area of the species, notably in the Mediterranean climate areas of France, Italy and Spain. Text from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuber_aestivum

Photographs by Michael Hadjiconstantis, Paphos District, May 2018

Tooth fungus - Sarcodon leucopus (Pers.) Maas Geest. & Nannf - Cyprus

Sarcodon is a genus of fungi in the family Bankeraceae.

Sarcodon leucopus is a species of tooth fungus in the family Bankeraceae. Found in Asia and Europe, it was described as new to science in 1825 by Christian Hendrik Persoon.[1] Mycologists Rudolph Arnold Maas Geesteranus and John Axel Nannfeldt transferred it to the genus Sarcodon in 1969.[2] Fruit bodies of the fungus have flattened to slightly depressed caps up to 20 cm (8 in) in diameter. The surface texture, initially finely felt-like, later cracks to form shiny scales. Its color is pale purplish-brown to dark brown. The stipe measures 4–8 cm (1.6–3.1 in) long by 2–6 cm (0.8–2.4 in) thick. Spines on the cap underside are up to 15 mm long and about 1 mm thick. The flesh has a disagreeable odor, and a bitter taste. Spores are roughly spherical, typically measuring 7.2–7.9 by 4.5–5.6 µm. The fungus is considered endangered in Switzerland.

Fruit bodies of Sarcodon leucopus contain novel compounds called sarcoviolins that have been shown to have antioxidative and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Platres (pine forest)  22/11/2015 by George Konstantinou

Bloody brittlegill - Russula sanguinaria (Schumach.) Rauschert - Cyprus

Russula sanguinaria, commonly known as the bloody brittlegill, is a strikingly coloured mushroom, a member of the Russula genus, which has the common name of brittlegills. It is bright blood-red, inedible, and grows in association with coniferous trees. It was previously widely known as Russula sanguinea.
Russula sanguinaria appears in summer and autumn. It is widespread in the northern temperate zones, and is mycorrhizal with softwood trees, often Pinus (pine) in coniferous woodland, on sandy soils
This mushroom is inedible; has a 'peppery' taste, and is sometimes quite bitter. Many similar-tasting Russulas are poisonous when eaten raw. The symptoms are mainly gastrointestinal in nature: diarrhoea, vomiting and colicky abdominal cramps. The active agent has not been identified but is thought to consist of sesquiterpenes, which have been isolated from Russula sardonia, and the related genus Lactarius
Around 750 worldwide species of ectomycorrhizal mushrooms compose the genus Russula. They are typically common, fairly large, and brightly colored – making them one of the most recognizable genera among mycologists and mushroom collectors. Their distinguishing characteristics include a white to dark yellow spore print, brittle free white gills, and an absence of partial veil or volvatissue on the stem. Members of the related Lactarius genus have similar characteristics but emit a milky latex when their gills are broken. The genus was described by Christian Hendrik Persoon in 1796.

 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Akanthou 26/12/2014 by George Konstantinou

Orange Jelly - Dacrymyces palmatus Bres. (1904) - Cyprus

Dacrymyces palmatus (Orange Jelly) is a species of fungi in the family Dacrymycetaceae, and is edible. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dacrymyces palmatus or chrysospermus is a species of jelly fungus in the family Dacrymycetaceae. In the UK it has the recommended English name of orange jelly spot; in North America it is known as orange jelly or orange witch's butter. The species is saprotrophic and grows on dead coniferous wood. Basidiocarps are gelatinous, bright orange, and extremely variable in shape, but typically stoutly stipitate with a spoon- or cup-shaped, spore-bearing head. They are frequently erumpent in groups, often coalescing to form complex masses up to 6 cm (2.4 in) across. Dacrymyces chrysospermus was originally described from New England, but is said to have a worldwide distribution. Microscopically it is distinguished from most other species of Dacrymyces by its comparatively large (18–23 by 6.5–8 µm),From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Athalassa 10/3/2010 by George Konstantinou

Dusky puffball - Lycoperdon foetidum Wahlenb. (1794) - Cyprus

Lycoperdon nigrescens, with the synonym Lycoperdon foetidum, commonly known as the dusky puffball, is a type of puffball mushroom in the genus Lycoperdon. It was first described scientifically in 1794 by the Swedish naturalist Göran Wahlenberg. Visually similar to other species when young, it grows increasingly darker with age, and lacks the pronounced stipe that old Lycoperdon perlatum attain.

It appears from summer to fall in both conifer and hardwood forests, in addition to alpine areas. The caps are shaped somewhat like pears, with spines ranging in brightness, which later break off. The surface is dark between the spines. The stipe has thin strands coming from its base

Lycoperdon is a genus of puffball mushrooms. The genus has a widespread distribution and contains about 50 species. In general, it contains the smaller species such as the pear-shaped puffball and the gem-studded puffball. It was formerly classified within the now-obsolete order Lycoperdales, as the type genus which, following a restructuring of fungal taxonomy brought about by molecular phylogeny, has been split. Lycoperdon is now placed in the family Agaricaceae of the order Agaricales.

The name comes from lycos meaning wolf and perdon meaning to break wind; thus the name literally means wolf-farts.From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Lithrodontas 11/11/2006 by George Konstantinou

Common puffball, warted puffball, gem-studded puffball or devil's snuff-box - Lycoperdon perlatum Pers. (1796) - Cyprus

Lycoperdon perlatum, popularly known as the common puffball, warted puffball, gem-studded puffball, or the devil's snuff-box, is a species of puffball fungus in the family Agaricaceae. A widespread species with a cosmopolitan distribution, it is a medium-sized puffball with a round fruit body tapering to a wide stalk, and dimensions of 1.5 to 6 cm (0.6 to 2.4 in) wide by 3 to 7 cm (1.2 to 2.8 in) tall. It is off-white with a top covered in short spiny bumps or "jewels", which are easily rubbed off to leave a netlike pattern on the surface. When mature it becomes brown, and a hole in the top opens to release spores in a burst when the body is compressed by touch or falling raindrops.

The puffball grows in fields, gardens, and along roadsides, as well as in grassy clearings in woods. It is edible when young and theinternal flesh is completely white, although care must be taken to avoid confusion with immature fruit bodies of poisonous Amanita species. L. perlatum can usually be distinguished from other similar puffballs by differences in surface texture. Several chemical compounds have been isolated and identified from the fruit bodies of L. perlatum, including sterol derivatives, volatile compounds that give the puffball its flavor and odor, and the unusual amino acid lycoperdic acid. Laboratory tests indicate that extracts of the puffball have antimicrobial and antifungal activities.From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Rizokarpaso 16/2/2010 by George Konstantinou

Psathyrella sp. - Cyprus

Psathyrella is a large genus of about 400 fungi, and is similar to the genera Coprinellus, Coprinopsis, Coprinus and Panaeolus, usually with a thin cap and white or yellowish white hollow stem. The caps do not self digest as do those of Coprinellus and Coprinopsis. Some also have brown spores rather than black. These fungi are often drab-colored, difficult to identify, and inedible, and so they are sometimes considered uninteresting. However they are quite common and can occur at times when there are few other mushrooms to be seen. The first report of a gilled mushroom fruiting underwater is Psathyrella aquatica.

The genus name Psathyrella is a diminutive form of Psathyra, derived from the Greek word meaning "friable", psathuros (ψαθυρος). From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Rizokarpaso 3/3/2010 by George Konstantinou

Jew's ear, wood ear, jelly ear - Auricularia auricula-judae (Bull.) J.Schröt. - Cyprus

Auricularia auricula-judae, known as the Jew's ear, wood ear, jelly ear or by a number of other common names, is a species of edible Auriculariales fungus found worldwide. The fruiting body is distinguished by its noticeably ear-like shape and brown colouration; it grows upon wood, especially elder. Its specific epithet is derived from the belief that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from an elder tree; the common name "Judas's ear" eventually became "Jew's ear", while today "jelly ear" and other names are sometimes used. The fungus can be found throughout the year in temperate regions worldwide, where it grows upon both dead and living wood.

In the West, A. auricula-judae was used in folk medicine as recently as the 19th century for complaints including sore throats, sore eyes and jaundice, and as an astringent. Although it is not widely consumed in the West, it has long been popular in China, to the extent that Australia exported large volumes to China in the early twentieth century. Today, the fungus is a popular ingredient in many Chinese dishes, such as hot and sour soup, and also used in Chinese medicine. It is also used in Ghana, as a blood tonic. Modern research into possible medical applications have variously concluded that A. auricula-judae has antitumour, hypoglycemic, anticoagulant and cholesterol-lowering properties.

The fruit body of A. auricula-judae is normally 3 to 8 centimetres (1.2 to 3.1 in) across, but can be as much as 12 centimetres (4.7 in). It is distinctively shaped, typically being reminiscent of a floppy ear, though the fruit bodies can also be cup-shaped. It is normally attached to the substrate laterally and sometimes by a very short stalk. The species has a tough, gelatinous, elastic texture when fresh, but it dries hard and brittle. The outer surface is a bright reddish-tan-brown with a purplish hint, often covered in tiny, downy hairs of a grey colour. It can be smooth, as is typical of younger specimens, or undulating with folds and wrinkles. The colour becomes darker with age.The inner surface is a lighter grey-brown in colour and smooth. It is sometimes wrinkled, again with folds and wrinkles, and may have "veins", making it appear even more ear-like. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Akanthou 21/2/2010 by George Konstantinou