Marasmioid species are often tiny, and can be overlooked by collectors. However, they play an essential saprobic role in forest ecosystems, helping to break down the litter layer of the forest floor. In fact the litter layer, particularly in oak-hickory woods in eastern North America, is often teeming with marasmioid mushrooms, even when conditions are extremely dry and hot. Despite their tiny size, many marasmioid species are tough little mushrooms. In dry conditions they simply shrivel up and wait for the next rain. Aside from their marcescence (the mycological term for their reviving ablility), marasmioid mushrooms are recognized by the white spore print; the tiny to small, flat-to-convex (not conical) caps; the often wiry stems; the habitat on needle duff, leaf litter, or woody debris; and microscopic features. Even so, confusion with collybioid mushrooms, mycenoid mushrooms, and several other groups is pretty much a given when it comes to identification of marasmioid species. Identifying marasmioid mushrooms sometimes hinges on microscopic examination, though some species have distinctive colors, textures, odors, and tastes to help narrow down the possibilities. Whatever you do, dont pick one tiny marasmioid mushroom and expect to identify it. Youll need several--many, even--in order to assess various features. And be sure to take note of your mushrooms ecology; many species are limited to certain substrates and ecosystems. Microscopic features for marasmioid mushrooms are best assessed with a Roman aqueduct section, since the morphology of the pileipellis, cheilocystidia, and pleurocystidia are all potentially important. Many marasmioid species feature broom cells as cheilocystidia and/or as terminal elements of the pileipellis; these are funky cells that vary in stature and shape but feature rodlike to fingerlike or knoblike outgrowths. The traditional genus Marasmius, to the surprise of no one who has paid any attention at all to mushroom taxonomy over the last decade, is beginning to be untenable in a contemporary, DNA-based taxonomic world. Already new arrangements of marasmioid mushrooms are arising, and genus names like Rhizomarasmius and Mycetinis are coming into circulation (or, in the latter case, re-circulation) for species that used to belong in Marasmius--and more genera and arrangements are undoubtedly on the horizon.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 15:13:22 +0000
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