Blasiphalia

A monotypic genus with a honey colored omphalinoid agaric[2]in the Hymenochaetales that grows with the liverwort genus Blasia^[1] Phylogenetically related agarics are in the genera Rickenella, Gyroflexus, Loreleia, Cantharellopsis and Contumyces, as well as the stipitate-stereoid genera Cyphellostereum and Cotylidia and clavaroid genus, Alloclavaria^[2]. Blasiphalia is most similar to Rickenella and Contumyces, and was only just recognized as a distinct genus in 2007 based upon molecular analysis. The fungus is unique in parasitizing Blasia[3] by forming clasping appresoria on its host's rhizoids^[3][4]. Its basidiospores also germinate on the host's gemmae and ^[5]clasp them and therefore can be disseminated together with the gemmae.

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Etymology

Blasiphalia is a nonsense, nontraditionally formulated name vaguely referring to the liverwort genus Blasia and a fragment of the word 'omphalia' in reference to previous classifications that would place it in Omphalina.

References