A New Chroogomphus with a Loculate Hymenium and a Revised Key to Section Floccigomphus

Abstract

SUMMARY A new species of Chroogomphus is described from western North America and the relationship of this fungus to Brauniellula is discussed. A revised key to Chroogomphus sect. Floccigomphus is also presented. Smith and Singer (1958) described a new genus in the Gastromycetes which is closely related to Gomphidius and Chroogomphus in the Agaricales. In FIG. 9 they showed the unexpanded sporocarps of Brauniellula with the contorted and folded gleba which varies from truly lamellate to truly lacunose. The authors further reported that all attempts to obtain spore prints were unsuccessful. During field collecting with A. H. Smith in 1962 and again in 1964, the senior author placed sections of the gleba of Brauniellula nancyae Smith over agar but no spore deposits resulted. It was concluded that this gastroid fungus had lost the ability to discharge spores forcibly. During the fall of 1968 Jerry Franklin and James Trappe collected an unusual agaric in the Willamette National Forest in Oregon. The sporocarps were contorted and often did not fully expand. Their appearance and microscopic characters suggested a gastroid fungus, but spore deposits were obtained from expanded specimens. This remarkable species appears to be a new taxon which bridges the gap between the truly gastroid genus Brauniellula and the agaric genus Chroogomphus. 831