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Verpa bohemica

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Verpa bohemica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Fungi
Phylum:
Ascomycota
Class:
Ascomycetes
Order:
Pezizales
Family:
Morchellaceae
Genus:
Verpa
Species:
V. bohemica
Binomial name
Verpa bohemica
Synonyms[1]

Morchella bohemica Krombh. (1828)
Ptychoverpa bohemica (Krombh.) Boud. (1907)

Verpa bohemica
View the Mycomorphbox template that generates the following list
Smooth hymenium
Cap is convex
Hymenium attachment is not applicable
Stipe is bare
Spore print is yellow
Ecology is saprotrophic
Edibility is edible or poisonous

Verpa bohemica is a species of fungus in the family Morchellaceae. Commonly known as the early morel (or early false morel) or the wrinkled thimble-cap, V. bohemica is one of several species known informally as a "false morel". It can be recognized in the field by the pale yellow or brown thimble-shaped wrinkled cap attached to the top of the lighter-colored stem; microscopically, it is distinguished by its large spores, typically 60–80 by 15–18 µm, and the presence of only two spores per ascus. In the field, the mushroom is differentiated from the true morels on the basis of cap attachment: V. bohemica has a cap that hangs completely free from the stem. Although widely considered edible, consumption of the mushroom is generally not advised due to reports of poisoning in susceptible individuals. The synonym Ptychoverpa bohemica is often used by European mycologists. V. bohemica is found in northern North America and Europe, where it is found growing on the ground in woods.

Taxonomy, phylogeny, and naming

The species was first described in the scientific literature by the Czech mycologist Julius Vincenz von Krombholz in 1828, under the name Morchella bohemica.[1] It was transferred to the genus Verpa in 1893 by Joseph Schröter.[2] The name Ptychoverpa bohemica, published by Jean Louis Émile Boudier in 1907,[3] is a synonym, and is still occasionally used, especially in European publications.[4] Boudier believed that the large, curved ascospores and the rare and short paraphyses were sufficient to warrant a new genus.[5][3] Ptychoverpa has also been called a section of Verpa,[6] characterized by the presence of thick longitudinal ridges on the cap that can be simple or forked.[7]

The specific epithet bohemica refers to Bohemia.[8] The mushroom is commonly known as the "early morel",[9] "early false morel", or the "wrinkled thimble-cap".[10] Ptychoverpa is derived from the Greek ptyx (genitive form ptychos), meaning "fold", layer", or "plate".[11]

Description

The interior of young fruit bodies is stuffed with soft, cottony tissue.

The cap of this fungus (known technically as an apothecium) is 2 to 4 cm (0.8 to 1.6 in) in diameter by 2 to 5 cm (0.8 to 2.0 in) long, with a conical or bell shape. It is folded into longitudinal ridges that often fuse together (anastomose) in a vein-like network. The cap is attached to the stem at the top only – hanging from the top of the stipe, with the lobed edge free from the stem – and varies in color from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown; the underside of the cap is pale. The stem is 6 to 12 cm (2.4 to 4.7 in) long by 1 to 2.5 cm (0.4 to 1.0 in) thick, cream-white in color, and tapers upward so that the stem is thicker at the base than at the top.[12] Although the stem is initially loosely stuffed with cottony hyphae, it eventually becomes hollow in maturity; overall, the mushroom is rather fragile.[13] The spore deposit is yellow. The flesh is white; the taste and odor of this species have been described as "pleasant".[14]

The spores are large, measuring up to 80 µm long.

Relative to other typical mushroom species, the spores of V. bohemica are huge, typically 60–80 by 15–18 µm. They are elliptical, smooth, sometimes curved, and appear hyaline to yellowish.[12] The "enormous" spores, which number two (more rarely three)[15] per ascus are characteristic for this species.[9] The smooth, elliptical asci measure 275–350 µm long by 16–23 µm wide.[16] The British-Canadian mycologist Arthur Henry Reginald Buller determined that the asci are heliotropic—they bend toward light. As he noted,

I cut transverse sections though their pilei, examined these sections under the microscope, and at once perceived that in all the hymenial grooves and depressions the asci were curved outwards so that their opercula must have faced the strongest rays of light to which the ends of the asci has been subjected in the places where the fruit-bodies developed." This reponse to the stimilus of light is significant because it permits a fruit body to point and later discharge its asci towards open spaces, thus increasing the chances that the spores will be dispersed by wind.[17]

The paraphyses are thick and club-shaped, with diameters of 7–8 µm at their tips.[18]

Edibility

The edibility of this species is questionable; although Verpa bohemica is eaten by many, consumption of large amounts in a single sitting, or on successive days, has been reported to cause poisoning in susceptible individuals.[19] Symptoms include gastrointestinal upset and lack of muscular coordination, similar to the effects reported by some individuals after consuming the false morel species Gyromitra esculenta.[15] Over-consumption of the mushroom has been reported to have induced a coma.[20] Those who do wish to eat this species are often advised to parboil with copious quantities of water (discarding the water before consumption),[21] to dry the specimens before eating,[22] or, if eating for the first time, to restrict consumption to small portions to test their tolerance.[9] Some advocate only eating the caps and discarding the stems.[23] Opinions on the flavor of the mushrooms vary; David Arora describes them as "strong but not on a par with true morels",[24] while Michael Kuo considers them "not distinctive".[4]

Similar species

Lookalike species include Morchella semilibera (left) and Verpa conica (right).

The closely related species Verpa conica typically has a smooth cap, although specimens with wrinkled caps are known. V. conica may be distinguished microscopically by its eight-spored asci.[24] Its North American range extends much further south than V. bohemica.[16] Another similar species is the "half-free morel", Morchella semilibera, which has a honeycombed cap that is attached to the stalk for about half of its length, and with ridges that are darker than the pits. Additionally, a cross-sectioned stem of a specimen of M. semilibera is hollow, while V. bohemica usually has cottony wisps in the stem,[4] and M. semilibera usually has vertical perforations near the base, while V. bohemica lacks them. Verpa bohemica may be reliably distinguished from all similar species by its much larger spores.[25]

Ecology, habitat and distribution

The fruit bodies of V. bohemica grow singly or scattered on the ground in woods in early spring, often before the appearance of the morel, and throughout the morel season.[4] It is often found along riverbanks, near cottonwoods, willows and aspens, often buried in plant litter.[10] The fungus prefers to fruit in moist areas with ample sunlight.[26] Its minimum growth temperature is 3 °C (37 °F), with an optimum of 22 °C (72 °F), and a maximum of about 30 °C (86 °F).[27] A study of carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios indicated that Verpa bohemica is saprobic, that is, obtaining nutrients from decomposing organic matter.[28] It has been suggested, however, that the fungus is mycorrhizal for at least part of its life cycle.[29] The fungus has a wide distribution throughout northern North America;[4] its range extends south to the Great Lakes in the Midwestern United States, and south to northern California on the West Coast.[16] It is also found in Europe,[14] including the Czech Republic,[30] Finland,[31] Germany,[32] Norway,[33] Poland,[34] Russia,[35] Sweden,[36] Turkey,[37] and Ukraine[38]. In Asia, it has been recorded from India.[39]

A 10-year study of the distribution, time of fruiting and habitats of morel and false morel population in Iowa showed that early false morels are the first morels to fruit in the spring, appearing shortly after leaves begin to form on deciduous trees. Narrow-head morels (Morchella angusticeps) fruit next, followed by the yellow or white morels (Morchella esculenta), then lastly Morchella crassipes.[40] The fruit bodies serve as a habitat for breeding dipterans (flies), including Porricondyla media, Pegomya geniculata, and Trichocera annulata.[41]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Verpa bohemica (Krombh.) J. Schröt. 1893". MycoBank. International Mycological Association. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  2. ^ Schröter J. (1893). Kryptogamen-Flora von Schlesien (in German). Vol. 3-2(7). p. 25.
  3. ^ a b Boudier JLÉ. (1907). Histoire et Classification des Discomycètes d'Europe (in French). Paris, France: Klincksieck. p. 34.
  4. ^ a b c d e Kuo M. (January 2005). "Verpa bohemica". MushroomExpert.Com. Retrieved 2011-05-03.
  5. ^ Boudier É. (1892). "Note sur les Morchella Bohemica Kromb. et voisons". Bulletin de la Société mycologique de France (in French). 8: 141–4.
  6. ^ Underwood L. (1892). "North American Helvellales". Minnesota Botanical Studies. Reports of the Survey. Botanical series II: 485.
  7. ^ Underwood LM. (1899). Moulds, Mildews, and Mushrooms; a Guide to the Systematic Study of the Fungi and Mycetozoa and their Literature. New York, New York: H. Holt. p. 65.
  8. ^ Smith AH, Weber NS. (1980). The Mushroom Hunter's Field Guide. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press. p. 38. ISBN 0-472-85610-3.
  9. ^ a b c McKnight VB, McKnight KH. (1987). A Field Guide to Mushrooms, North America. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin. p. 42. ISBN 0-395-91090-0.
  10. ^ a b Ammirati JF, McKenny M, Stuntz DE. (1987). The New Savory Wild Mushroom. Seattle, Washington: University of Washington Press. p. 214. ISBN 0-295-96480-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Scarborough J. (1992). Medical and Biological Terminologies: Classical Origins. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 74. ISBN 9780806130293.
  12. ^ a b Healy RA, Huffman DR, Tiffany LH, Knaphaus G. (2008). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of the Midcontinental United States (Bur Oak Guide). Iowa City, Iowa: University of Iowa Press. p. 295. ISBN 1-58729-627-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Schalkwijk-Barendsen HME. (1991). Mushrooms of Western Canada. Edmonton, Canada: Lone Pine Publishing. p. 178. ISBN 0-919433-47-2.
  14. ^ a b Phillips R. "Verpa bohemica". Rogers Plants Ltd. Retrieved 2011-05-03.
  15. ^ a b Horgen PA, Ammirati JF, Traquair JA. (1985). Poisonous Mushrooms of the Northern United States and Canada. Minneapolis, Minnesota: University of Minnesota Press. p. 337. ISBN 0-8166-1407-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ a b c Kuo M. (2005). Morels. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press. pp. 184–5. ISBN 0-472-03036-1.
  17. ^ Buller AHR. (1958). Researches on Fungi. Vol. 6. New York, New York: Hafner Publishing. pp. 323–4.
  18. ^ Seaver FJ. (1942). The North American cup-fungi (Operculates) (Supplement ed.). New York, New York: Self published. p. 244.
  19. ^ Orr DB, Orr RT. (1979). Mushrooms of Western North America. Berkeley, California: University of California Press. p. 36. ISBN 0-520-03656-5.
  20. ^ Maybrier M, Maybrier M. (2011). Morel Hunting. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. p. 18. ISBN 9780811708340.
  21. ^ Hall IR. (2003). Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of the World. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. ISBN 0-88192-586-1.
  22. ^ Sept JD. (2006). Common Mushrooms of the Northwest: Alaska, Western Canada & the Northwestern United States. Sechelt, Canada: Calypso Publishing. p. 82. ISBN 0-9739819-0-3.
  23. ^ Pelouch M, Pelouch L. (2008). How to Find Morels. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press. p. 71. ISBN 9780472032747.
  24. ^ a b Arora D. (1986). Mushrooms Demystified: a Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi. Berkeley, California: Ten Speed Press. p. 794. ISBN 0-89815-169-4.
  25. ^ Bessette A, Fischer DH. (1992). Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America: a Field-to-Kitchen Guide. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press. p. 137. ISBN 0-292-72080-7.
  26. ^ Skirgiello A. (1967). "Contribution to the knowledge of geographical distribution of higher fungi in Europe: II". Acta Mycologica. 3: 243–9.
  27. ^ Gilman JC. (1916). "Cabbage yellow and the relation of temperature to its occurrence". Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. 3: 25–84 (see p. 55). JSTOR 2990072.
  28. ^ Hobbie EA, Weber NS, Trappe JM. (2001). "Mycorrhizal vs saprotrophic status of fungi: the isotopic evidence". New Phytologist. 150: 601–10. doi:10.1046/j.1469-8137.2001.00134.x.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ Kuo M. (2007). 100 Edible Mushrooms. Ann Arbor, Michigan: The University of Michigan Press. ISBN 0-472-03126-0.
  30. ^ Svrček M. (1981). "Katalog operkulátních diskomycetů (Pezizales) Československa II. (O-W)". Ceska Mykologie (in Czech). 35 (2): 64–89. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ Granmo A, Skifte O, Nilssen AC. (1982). "Ptychoverpa bohemica Pezizales in Norway and Finland". Karstenia. 22 (2): 43–8. ISSN 0453-3402.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  32. ^ O'Donnell K, Cigelnik E, Weber NS, Trappe JM. (1997). "Phylogenetic relationships among ascomycetous truffles and the true and false morels inferred from 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis". Mycologia. 89 (1): 48–65. JSTOR 3761172.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ Often A, Torkelsen A-E. (1990). "Ptychoverpa bohemica new record found in South Norway". Blyttia (in Norwegian). 48 (4): 173–5. ISSN 0006-5269.
  34. ^ Skirgiello A. (1960). "Spring Discomycetes of Bialowieza". Monographiae Botanicae. 10 (2): 3–19.
  35. ^ Skryabina AA. (1975). "Fructification of some species of edible fungi from the family Helvellaceae in the Slobodsky Roan of the Kirov Oblast". Rastitel'nye Resursy. 11 (4): 552–5. ISSN 0033-9946.
  36. ^ Ryman S. (1978). "Swedish Pezizales of spring and early summer". Svensk Botanisk Tidskrift (in Swedish). 72 (4): 327–40. ISSN 0039-646X.
  37. ^ Dogan HH, Ozturk C, Kasik G, Aktas S. (2007). "Macrofungi distribution of Mut province in Turkey". Pakistan Journal of Botany. 39 (1): 293–308. ISSN 0556-3321.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ http://www.cybertruffle.org.uk/cgi-bin/master.pl?species=0018724
  39. ^ Wani W, Pala SA, Boda RH, Mir RA. (2010). "Morels in Southern Kashmir Himalya". Journal of Mycology and Plant Pathology. 40 (4): 540–6. ISSN 0971-9393.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  40. ^ Tiffany LJ, Knaphaus G, Huffman DM. (1998). "Distribution and ecology of the morels and false morels of Iowa". Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science. 105 (1): 1–15.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  41. ^ Krivosheina NP. (2008). "Macromycete fruit bodies as a habitat for dipterans (Insecta, Diptera)". Entomological Review. 88 (7): 778–92. doi:10.1134/S0013873808070038.

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