Narthecium Ossifragum Research Articles

Holocene vegetation and flora dynamics of the west Cork/Kerry region, south-western Ireland

AbstractSediments from a small lake, Loch Beag, in Barrees, Beara peninsula, south-western Ireland, provide a record of vegetation history that spans most of the Lateglacial and Holocene (14–0.43 ka). The detailed part of the record relates to the Holocene, which is the focus of this paper. The investigations carried out include pollen and macrofossil analyses, loss-on-ignition measurements and 14C dating. As well as providing records for tree and shrub taxa, and especially Pinus, Quercus, Ulmus, Fraxinus and Taxus, other taxa mainly with Atlantic and/or Lusitanian distributions are also considered. These include Arbutus unedo (strawberry tree) and fern species such as Osmunda regalis, and the filmy ferns Hymenophyllum tunbrigense, H. wilsonii and Trichomanes speciosum (Killarney fern). Detailed records for a suite of bog/heath taxa, including ericoid species (Erica tetralix and E. cinerea), Narthecium ossifragum, Hypericum elodes and Myrica gale, are presented. The results of 14C dating of bog-pines from western Ireland are summarised. Results of other investigations, including key Holocene pollen diagrams, and charcoal and fossil-wood records from archaeological excavations that relate mainly to the Bronze Age in the wider west Cork/Kerry region, are reviewed. Vegetation dynamics, human impact and plant biogeography are discussed in the light of the considerable data now available for the region.

Long‐term impacts of changed grazing regimes on the vegetation of heterogeneous upland grasslands

Abstract Marginal agricultural land, which in the UK refers to upland grazings in particular, is going to see changes in management driven by markets, subsidies, grants and environmental change with implications for biodiversity. Using a large‐scale, long‐term grazing experiment in the UK uplands we assessed the impact of intensification (tripling sheep numbers), abandonment (removal of sheep) and grazer diversification (partial replacement of sheep by cattle) on vegetation composition in a heterogenous area of grassland. Species benefiting from increased grazing included sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), mat grass (Nardus stricta) and deer grass (Trichophorum cespitosum). Species that benefitted from the removal of grazing included bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) and blaeberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Responses differed between vegetation communities; more productive acid grassland communities showed little change when grazing was removed, whilst less productive mire communities contained species, capable of increasing after grazing removal. Increased grazing and, to a lesser extent, the introduction of cattle increased species diversity. Synthesis and applications. Marginal agricultural grassland will likely see management change driven by markets, subsidies and environmental change. Vegetation change in these relatively infertile grasslands is slow and features shuffling dominance amongst species in the initial vegetation. Initial structural changes affect other trophic levels in this experiment; the slow change in composition will affect the system over longer timescales. Management decisions in the uplands encompass complex trade‐offs between production, biodiversity and a range of ecosystem services. Predicting the consequences of decisions is difficult given the slow dynamics of unproductive habitats.

Cytotoxic saponins and other natural products from flowering tops of Narthecium ossifragum L

For more than four centuries, the intake of Narthecium ossifragum has been associated with poisoning in domesticated animals. Saponins occurring in flowering tops of the plant are considered to cause kidney damage in calves. At present, there are more than 30 papers on the saponins of N. ossifragum in the literature, although the structures of these compounds have hitherto not been determined. Here, we identify the saponins of N. ossifragum as sarsasapogenin, sarsasapogenin-3-O-β-galactopyranoside, sarsasapogenin-3-O-(2′-O-β-glucopyranosyl-β-galactopyranoside) and sarsasapogenin-3-O-(2′-O-β-glucopyranosyl-3′-O-α-arabinopyranosyl-β-galactopyranoside). Moreover, six aromatic natural products were isolated and characterized from the methanolic extract from flowers of N. ossifragum. Five of these aromatic compounds, chrysoeriol 6-C-β-arabinofuranoside-8-C-β-glucopyranoside, chrysoeriol 6-C-β-arabinopyranosyl-8-C-β-glucopyranoside, chrysoeriol 6-C-β-xylopyranosyl-8-C-β-galactopyranoside, chrysoeriol 6-C-β-galactopyranosyl-8-C-β-glucopyranoside and chrysoeriol 6-C-β-glucopyranosyl-8-C-β-galactopyranoside are undescribed. All compounds were tested for cytotoxicity in mammalian cell lines derived from the heart, kidney, and haematological tissues. The saponins exhibited cytotoxicity in the micromolar range, with proportionally increasing cytotoxicity with increasing number of glycosyl substituents. The most potent compound was the main saponin sarsasapogenin-3-O-(2′-O-β-glucopyranosyl-3′-O-α-arabinopyranosyl-β-galactopyranoside), which produced cell death at concentrations below 3–4 μM in all three cell lines tested. This indicates that the saponins are the toxicants mainly responsible for kidney damage observed in cattle after ingestion of N. ossifragum. Our findings also pave the way for analysis of individual compounds isolated during the biopsies of intoxicated animals.

Toxic aromatic compounds from fruits of Narthecium ossifragum L.

The intake of Narthecium ossifragum, commonly known as bog asphodel, has been associated with toxic effects observed in sheep for centuries. Although the plant has been studied for five centuries little is known about its chemical constituents. Six previously undescribed natural products, naringenin(3 → 6″)luteolin, naringenin(3 → 6″)chrysoeriol, liovil 4-O-β-glucopyranoside, 2,6-dimethoxy cinnamic acid, (E)-4-(3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylchroman-6-yl)but-3-en-2-one and (E)-4-(4-(((E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)oxy)phenyl)but-3-en-2-one, have been identified from fruits of N. ossifragum for the first time. In addition, the rare natural product 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)benzaldehyde and the five known compounds 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, quercetin 3,3′-dimethyl ether, quercetin 3,7-dimethyl ether, chrysoeriol 7-O-β-glucopyranoside and the di-C-glycosylflavone isoschaftoside were all characterized for the first time from the fruits of N. ossifragum. The discovery of sufficient amounts of 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)benzaldehyde in fresh plant material of N. ossifragum to allow complete structure elucidation by NMR and HRMS supports the possibility that fungi associated with N. ossifragum may be able to produce enough toxins to play a significant role in the pathogenicity of N. ossifragum. 4-Hydroxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)benzaldehyde showed mild toxicity towards normal rat kidney (NRK) and more profound activity towards MOLM13 acute myeloid leukemia cells (IC50 = 430 μM and 68 μM, respectively). Naringenin(3 → 6″)luteolin had IC50 of 230 μM towards NRK cells, and 115 μM towards MOLM13 cells. Microscopic evaluation suggests that these two compounds induce cell death by different mechanisms.

The role of the seed bank in recovery of temperate heath and blanket bog following wildfires

AbstractQuestionsAre the germinable seed banks of upland heath and blanket bog reduced following wildfires? Are some species at particular risk? Do the impacts of wildfires on seed banks differ between heathlands and blanket bog?LocationNorthern Ireland, United Kingdom.MethodsVegetation surveys and seed bank sampling were conducted in 2012 at burned and unburned areas within six upland sites where large wildfires had occurred during spring 2011. Differences in seedling abundance, species richness and Jaccard similarity indices between burned and unburned areas were compared using GLMMs. Differences in the community composition were examined using pRDA.ResultsIn total, 24 of the 51 species in the vegetation were detected in the germinable seed bank. Species richness and the abundance of seedlings other than Calluna vulgaris were lower in areas where wildfires had occurred. Species composition of both germinable seed banks and vegetation differed between burned and unburned areas within sites; with negative associations between burned areas and some key indicator species including Drosera rotundifolia, Eriophorum vaginatum, Empetrum nigrum, Narthecium ossifragum and Trichophorum germanicum. We did not find any evidence of significant interactions between burning and habitat, suggesting that wildfires had similar impacts on each species regardless of the habitat in which they occurred.ConclusionsThis study differs from other UK studies in that it examines impacts of wildfires at sites that have not been previously intensively managed by burning. In particular, we highlight potential impacts on N. ossifragum and D. rotundifolia, which are key components of the upland flora and, to our knowledge, were not present in previous UK studies.

The lamb disease alveld: Search for fungi and bacteria on Narthecium ossifragum foliage and roots

The causality of the serious hepatogen sheep (Ovis aries) photosensitization disease alveld is not explained. In this study the bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) foliage and roots were sampled for associated species of microfungi and bacteria in Møre og Romsdal, Western Norway 2001. Three species of bacteria and 16 species/genera of microfungi, several of which were new to this plant, were identified. Metabolites of saponins produced by N. ossifragum have long been suggested as the sole cause of the disease, here two additional hypotheses are discussed. Several findings have indicated that an unknown “cofactor” is required to explain causality. The cofactor hypothesis is that bacterial or fungal populations consumed with feed might either affect biological membranes and influence physiological processes through production of toxic metabolites or directly interfere with present rumen microbial populations. The second hypothesis is that secondary production of phytoalexins in Narthecium due to impact from swarms of microfungi spores is another valid possibility. The ecology of some of the identified species of microfungi and bacteria and their possible relevance to the alveld pathosystem is discussed.

Characterisation of holocene plant macrofossils from north spanish ombrotrophic mires: Vascular plants

Methods and criteria that were used to identify plant macrofossils from four ombrotrophic mires in northern Spain are presented. Twelve monocotyledon and ten dicotyledon species were recorded. Some were identified from vegetative or reproductive macroremains (Eriophorum angustifolium, Molinia caerulea, Calluna vulgaris, Erica mackaiana, Erica tetralix, Potentilla erecta), while others were recognised only by their fruits (Rhynchospora alba, Carex durieui, Carex echinata, Carex binervis, Carex demissa, Betula alba), seeds (Juncus squarrosus, Juncus bulbosus, Luzula multiflora, Narthecium ossifragum, Drosera rotundifolia, Drosera intermedia, Caltha palustris, Daboecia cantabrica), rhizome fragments with remains of leaves (Agrostis curtisii), or twigs with buds and leaves (Vaccinium myrtillus). Descriptions of the specific distinctive characters for the plant macrofossils that were recorded are accompanied by illustrations that facilitate their interpretation. Dichotomous identification keys are also provided.

Bog asphodel toxicity in sheep and cattle

This article summarises the current knowledge of the pathogenesis and toxicology associated with bog asphodel (BA), which is common in wet upland areas. The plant causes hepatogenous photosensitisation in sheep and nephropathy in cattle. Government-funded schemes aimed at climate change mitigation and promotion of biodiversity in upland areas may have increased habitat for BA and therefore the risk of exposure by grazing livestock to BA, and joint approaches between those involved with these schemes and livestock farming may be required to maintain the health and welfare of livestock grazing these areas, without compromising biodiversity and other strategies for upland bog management.

Boreal rich fen vegetation formerly used for haymaking

In the present study, we describe the variation in rich fen (brown moss‐dominated) vegetation of boreal uplands in Norway, based on studies in two nature reserves representing an oceanic and a more continental area. The vegetation description included 134 sample plots and 200 taxa, using TWINSPAN classification and DCA ordination. The main aims were to describe the rich fen vegetation used for traditional haymaking, to find important ecological gradients and to compare the fen vegetation to the main European classification systems. We classified the fen vegetation into six plant communities. Rich (including extremely rich) fen vegetation of lawns and open margins were most common, representing the alliances Caricion atrofuscae, including alpine/continental species like Equisetum variegatum and Pedicularis oederi and Schoenion ferruginei (Caricion davallianae), including lowland/oceanic species like Drosera longifolia and Narthecium ossifragum. A majority of the constant species were in common for the two alliances, e.g. Thalictrum alpinum, Trichophorum cespitosum, Campylium stellatum and Gymnocolea borealis. The lawn communities included 30–38 species per plot (12.5 m2). We classified the flat fens with carpet communities dominated by Scorpidium cossonii and S. scorpioides to the alliances Stygio–Caricion limosae and Caricion lasiocarpae. The carpets contained ca 30 species per plot. Shrub‐dominated fen margin represents Sphagno–Tomentypnion, with the highest species number, more than 50 species per plot, including Molinia caerulea as a constant and abundant species, and a large number of herbs as constants. The plots of the margin community were in an overgrowing process, invaded by shrubs and wet grassland species. The peak in floristic diversity in abandoned margin communities fits well with both the humped‐back model of species richness and the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.

Suspected bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) toxicity in cattle in North Wales

IN North Wales, environmental schemes such as Tir Cynnal and Tir Gofal have been successful in encouraging the reduction of grazing pressure on hill pastures, to increase the ecological biodiversity...

Vegetation transition following drainage in a high-latitude hyper-oceanic ecosystem

Questions: How does draining affect the composition of vegetation? Are certain functional groups favoured? Can soil parameters explain these differences? Location: Central Faroe Islands, treeless islands in the northern boreal vegetation zone. Since 1987, an area of 21 km2 at 100–200 m a.s.l. was drained in order to provide water for hydro-electric production. Method: Vegetation and soil of a drained area and a control, undrained neighbouring area of approximately the same size were sampled in 2007. Six sites were sampled in each area. The vegetation was classified with cluster analysis. Results: Four plant communities were defined in the area: Calluna vulgaris–Empetrum nigrum–Vaccinium myrtillus heath, Scirpus cespitosus–Eriophorum angustifolium blanket mire, Carex bigelowii–Racomitrium lanuginosum moss-heath, Narthecium ossifragum–Carex panacea mire. Heath was more extensively distributed within, and was the dominant community of the drained area, whereas moss-heath was more extensive in the undrained area. Blanket mire and mire had approximately the same distribution in both areas. For the blanket mire, species composition indicated drier conditions in the drained than in the undrained area. The drained area had higher frequencies of woody species and lichens, grasses had finer roots and available soil phosphate was considerably higher, whereas the undrained area had higher frequencies of grasses and sedges. Conclusion: The dominant plant communities were different in the two areas, which indicated that the blanket mire was drying in the drained area. Higher concentration of soil phosphate in the drained area also indicated increased decomposition of organic soils owing to desiccation.

Fitness and survival in fragmented populations of Narthecium ossifragum at the species' range margin

Decreasing population size and increasing isolation may lead to reduced plant fitness. These effects of habitat fragmentation may especially apply to populations close to the margin of their geographical range, where populations generally are often smaller and more isolated, and the environment is less favourable than at the range centre. In this context we studied north-west German range-margin populations of Narthecium ossifragum (L.) HUDS., a clonal, perennial herb typical for acidic and nutrient-poor wet heathlands. We asked whether plant fitness and reproduction of the range-margin populations were affected by population size and habitat quality, and whether any changes in population size over the past 10–20 years were related to past population size and habitat quality. Population size varied between 60 and 100.000 individuals and was highly positively related to shoot density. Larger (and denser) populations formed more flowers and fruits, but fewer seeds. Soil water content had a strong positive effect on seed production and seed mass, and the latter also increased with increasing soil phosphorus content. Relative light intensity showed a positive impact on shoot density and, hence, population size. Compared to British range centre populations, the populations at the German range margin formed more, but smaller seeds that failed to germinate both in the field and in laboratory experiments. Despite the lack of sexual reproduction, population sizes generally had not decreased during the past two decades, most likely due to successful clonal growth. The change in population size of Narthecium, however, was negatively related to the present soil phosphorus content, indicating that an increased supply of nutrients and a decrease in light availability may have a negative effect on population dynamics. The results imply that fragmented and small range-margin populations not necessarily are doomed to extinction, provided that the habitat quality remains suitable for growth and vegetative reproduction.

Evidence from water chemistry as a criterion of ombrotrophy in the mire complexes of Abernethy Forest, Scotland

AbstractQuestion: Can cation analyses of water samples within a peatland site be used to infer solute sources to the samples, and so provide an objective criterion of ombrotrophy?Location: Mire complexes within native Pinus sylvestris forest, in Abernethy Forest, north of the Cairngorm Mountains, Scotland, UK.Methods: Chemical analyses of major cations in 200 water samples, and χ2 analysis of contingency tables relating species occurrence in the corresponding quadrat samples to the ombrotrophic‐telluric division.Results and conclusions: The chemical data (especially the ratios Ca2+/Mg2+ and Na+/Mg2+) indicated a separation of about 140 essentially ombrotrophic samples from about 60 showing clear telluric influence; these conclusions are consistent with published rainwater analyses. For hydrological and meteorological reasons, a sharp separation cannot be expected, so the limit adopted here (Ca/Mg=1.0) is to some extent arbitrary, but the methods described provide a more objective criterion of ombrotrophy than any other. Contingency tables showed highly significant associations between species occurrence and the ombrotrophic‐telluric division. The strongest associations included: (ombrotrophic) Eriophorum vaginatum, Odontoschisma sphagni and Sphagnum cuspidatum; (telluric) Carex panicea, Potentilla erecta, Carex echinata, Narthecium ossifragum, Sphagnum auriculatum s.l., Agrostis canina, Molinia caerulea, Eriophorum angustifolium, and Sphagnum recurvum s.l. The Abernethy mires are arguably more comparable with mire complexes on base‐poor rocks in southern Scandinavia than with most ombrotrophic sites further south and west in Britain. As in Sweden, Narthecium ossifragum and Eriophorum angustifolium, generally ubiquitous on British and Irish ombrotrophic bogs, are “fen” plants at Abernethy.

Effets be l'étrépage pour la restauration de landes tourbeuses en haute belge

Vegetation restoration was attempted in a degraded wet heath overgrown by Molinia caerulea in High Ardenne (Belgium). Top peat—removal was applied in spring 1989 and the vegetation was recorded, in 1989 and 1998, using the Braun—Blanquet method. Top peat—removal had a pronounced and beneficial effect, decreasing the cover of Molinia caerulea and increasing the cover of typical wet heath species (Juncus squarrosus, Carex panicea, Erica tetralix, Trichophorum cespitosum, Narthecium ossifragum). Peat removal also promoted the re—establishment of rare species like Drosera rotundifolia and Lycopodiella inundata. The results of diaspore bank are presented.

WATER ANALYSES FROM SOME IRISH BOGS AND FENS, WITH THOUGHTS ON 'THE <i>SCHOENUS</i> PROBLEM'

WATER ANALYSES FROM SOME IRISH BOGS AND FENS, WITH THOUGHTS ON 'THE <i>SCHOENUS</i> PROBLEM'

Molecular characterization and evaluation of plant litter-associated fungi from the spring ‘grazing corridor’ of a sheep herd vulnerable to alveld disease

This study sample and identify species of fungi on withered vegetation in the spring 'grazing corridor' from infields to Narthecium bogs for a sheep herd almost chronically vulnerable to phototoxic disease. Hepatogen photosensitizing disorders like alveld attack grazing sheep, especially lambs, in various parts of the world. It has been hypothesized that saponin metabolites in the monocotyledonous plant Narthecium ossifragum causes the disorder in Norway, however, this has not been verified. Thus, the search for other causal agents or saponin cofactors (the cofactor hypothesis) has been intensified, and endophytic poisonous fungi associated with dead N. ossifragum leaves and grasses are among the prime suspects. The fungal diversity was targeted by obtaining axenic cultures from surface-sterilized plant material, with subsequent DNA isolation, PCR, and sequencing of the ITS nrDNA region. The taxonomic affinities of the obtained sequences were thereafter explored by similarity searches against the public access sequence database EMBL/GenBank/DDBJ. Among the spectrum of identified taxa were representatives of Cladosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Trichoderma, all of which are well known as potential producers of toxins. A possible involvement of these toxic species in the etiology of alveld is evaluated and discussed.

Identification of Cytotoxic Constituents of Narthecium ossifragum Using Bioassay-Guided Fractionation

Narthecium ossifragum, a member of the Liliaceae family, contains phytochemicals that have hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic activity in several ruminant species. 3-Methoxyfuran-2(5H)-one has previously been isolated as the principal nephrotoxin, and its toxicity has been confirmed in vivo. However, previous investigations into the nephrotoxicity of N. ossifragum both in vivo and in vitro indicate that other phytochemical factors might contribute to the nephrotoxicity of the plant. In this study, the cytotoxicity in renal tubular cells (LLC-PK1) was measured using an aqueous extract from the plant and fractions from chromatographic separation to identify the cytotoxic constituents of the extract. In an iterative process two different groups of compounds were identified as the major cytotoxic principles in LLC-PK1 cells: steroidal saponins (primarily di- and trisaccharides of sarsasapogenin) and 5-hydroxy-4-methoxyfuran-2(5H)-one. Up to a concentration of 880 microg/mL (7.7 M) 3-methoxyfuran-2(5H)-one was not cytotoxic. The cytotoxicity of the saponins was abolished upon hydrolysis, indicating that the carbohydrate moiety of the molecule is a prerequisite for toxicity on the cellular level. The results of the present study have two important implications: first, the results question the direct involvement of 3-methoxyfuran-2(5H)-one in the nephrotoxicity of N. ossifragum; second, the findings should induce future investigations into the possible role of saponins in N. ossifragum-related nephrotoxicosis observed in ruminants that graze on this plant.

Sapogenin Levels in Narthecium ossifragum Plants and Ovis aries Lamb Faeces during Two Alveld Outbreaks in Møre og Romsdal, Norway, 2001

The proposal that saponins produced by the lily bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) may be the direct cause of the hepatogenous photosensitization disease alveld seen in Norwegian lambs was investigated by comparing sapogenin levels in two control and two toxic pastures, and in faeces from lambs grazing the four pastures in the Halsa and Surnadal municipalities, Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. Generally similar levels of sapogenins, determined after hydrolysis of parent plant saponins, were found in Narthecium leaves collected in June/July 2001 from the two alveld outbreak areas and two nearby control areas. Differences in the median sapogenin levels determined for leaf samples in outbreak and control areas were not statistically significant. The total level of free and conjugated sapogenins in faeces recovered from the rectums of lambs grazing the outbreak and control pastures areas varied greatly. The results obtained do not support the hypothesis that a dose-response relationship exists between Narthecium saponin levels and the occurrence of alveld outbreaks.

Effects of 3-methoxy-2(5H)-furanone-containing extracts from Narthecium ossifragum (L.) Huds. on renal tubular cells in vitro

Narthecium ossifragum, a perennial herb of the lily family, causes toxic renal tubular necrosis in several ruminant species. 3-methoxy-2(5H)-furanone (3M2F) has been identified as a nephrotoxin present in N. ossifragum extracts. We studied effects of three different 3M2F-containing fractions isolated from N. ossifragum and synthetic 3M2F on the porcine kidney cell line LLC-PK1. In some of the experiments, we included the glioma cell lines U251 and BT4Cn to compare the effects of the toxin on LLC-PK1 cells to the effect on these cell lines. The synthetic 3M2F was shown to be only mildly toxic, and the most purified fraction from N. ossifragum showed the highest degree of toxicity in our studies. When monolayer cultures were exposed to increasing amounts of 3M2F-containing extract, a dose-dependent increase in cell death was observed. Similarly, reduced neutral red uptake and 3H-thymidine uptake (DNA synthesis) was observed. There was increased apoptotic activity in the LLC-PK1 cells with increasing concentration of 3M2F-containing extract. Multicellular three-dimensional spheroids from LLC-PK1 cells stopped fluid transport, showed degenerative changes and collapsed totally 6 h after extract exposure. Our findings indicate junctional damage, reduced cellular endocytosis and DNA-synthesis as well as induction of apoptosis as possible mechanisms for the acute tubular necrosis observed in ruminant species.

Gjaerumia, a new genus in the Georgefischeriales (Ustilaginomycetes)

Teliospores, basidia, cultures, hyphal septations, cellular interactions and nucleotide sequences from the D1/D2 region of the nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene of Entyloma ossifragi occurring on Narthecium ossifragum (Nartheciaceae) were examined and compared with findings in the Georgefischeriales and other Ustilaginomycetes. The data show that Entyloma ossifragi is a member of the Georgefischeriales. Among the Georgefischeriales, Entyloma ossifragi morphologically is very similar to Jamesdicksonia species, but differs from this genus and all other Georgefischeriales by the formation of dolipores without striations that become closed during teliosporogenesis. In addition, in our molecular phylogenetic analyses Entyloma ossifragi stands well apart from Jamesdicksonia, forming with some Tilletiopsis specimens a statistically supported cluster. Accordingly, the genus Gjaerumia gen. nov. and the family Gjaerumiaceae fam. nov. are proposed to accommodate Entyloma ossifragi in the Georgefischeriales. The new combination G. ossifragi (syn. Entyloma ossifragi) is made.