Clavaria orientalis P. Zhang & Ju. Yan, 2025

Yan, Jun, Xiong, Li, Yang, Li-Xun, He, Zheng-Mi, Zhang, Ping & Liao, Ke, 2025, Morphological and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses reveal three new branched species of Clavaria (Clavariaceae, Agaricales) from China, MycoKeys 115, pp. 137-153 : 137-153

Clavaria orientalis P. Zhang & Ju. Yan sp. nov.

Figs 4 , 5

Etymology.

orientalis (Latin), meaning eastern, refers to the occurrence of the species in East Asia.

Holotype.

China • Hunan Province: Shimen County, Hupingshan Nature Reserve , alt. 1828 m, 30°02'58.50"N, 110°31'24.90"E, 11 September 2012, P. Zhang ( MHHNU 7767 ).

Diagnosis.

Differs from Clavaria zollingeri in its stout branches, lesser degree of branching, and shorter basidia.

Description.

Basidiomata (Fig. 4 a, b ) branched, brittle, gregarious to caespitose clusters; clusters 50–80 mm high, 10–30 mm broad; branches terete, 1–3 mm wide, 1–4 times, dichotomous; branch tips obtuse, broadly rounded, or narrowly rounded. Fertile part coralloid, smooth, obviously curved or slightly twisted, deep amethyst [15 A 4-7, 15 B 4-6, 16 A 4-6; Amparo Purple, Lobelia Violet, Vinaceous Purple] to lilac [14 A 2-3, 15 A 2-3; Pale Vinaceous Purple, Pale Lobelia Violet], and changing to pale greyish purple [16 A 2, 17 A 2; Lavender Gray, Pale Payne’s Gray, Pale Verbena Violet] with age. Apex concolorous with lower part, becoming yellowish or tawny with age. Stipe distinct, sterile, smooth, often terete, semi-translucent, hygrophanous, and darker than the fertile part, sometimes flattened and pallid. Flesh concolorous or slightly paler than surface of basidiomata.

Basidiospores (Fig. 5 a ) [100 / 5 / 5] (4.8) 5.0–6.0 × 4.0–5.0 (5.5) μm [Q = (1.09) 1.13–1.38 (1.43), Q = 1.21 ± 0.11], mostly broadly ellipsoid, sometimes ellipsoid or subglobose, smooth, hyaline, nonamyloid, thin-walled; hilar appendage present (<2.0 μm in length). Basidia (Fig. 5 b ) 34–48 × 5.0–8.0 μm, clavate, 4 - spored, hyaline, thin-walled; sterigmata below 5.0 μm long. Incrustations or crystals absent. Hyphae of the context parallel, thin-walled, hyaline, cylindrical to inflated, secondarily septated. Clamp connections absent in all parts of basidiomata.

Habitat, ecology, and distribution.

Gregarious to caespitose in humus layers of soil under broadleaved forests, coniferous forests, or mixed coniferous – broadleaved forests. Basidiomata produced in summer or autumn, usually throughout the months of July to September; known from subtropical zones of southern China.

Additional specimens examined.

China • Hunan Province: Sangzhi County, Badagongshan National Nature Reserve , alt. 1500 m, 29°46'58.17"N, 110°4'51.68"E, 22 July 2003, P. Zhang ( MHHNU 6801 ) ; • Shimen County, Hupingshan Nature Reserve , alt. 1828 m, 30°02'58.50"N, 110°31'24.90"E, 31 August 2010, P. Zhang ( MHHNU 7352 ) ; • 26 September 2011, P. Zhang ( MHHNU 7586 ) . • Hubei Province: Hefeng County, Mulinzi National Nature Reserve , alt. 1413 m, 30°03'32.17"N, 110°12'34.35"E, 1 August 2020, Z. H. Chen ( MHHNU 32116 ) .

Figures

Figure 4. Basidiomata of Clavaria orientalis a MHHNU 7767 b MHHNU 32116. Scale bars: 2 cm.

Figure 5. Microscopic features of Clavaria orientalis (MHHNU 7767) a basidiospores b basidia.