Clavaria tongdaoensis P. Zhang & Ju. Yan sp. nov.
Figs 6, 7
Etymology.
tongdaoensis (Latin) refers to the type locality in Tongdao County, Hunan Province, China.
Holotype.
China • Hunan Province: Tongdao County, Fengshuwan Forest Park, alt. 400 m, 26°09'45.66"N, 109°46'31.52"E, 6 July 2022, P. Zhang and Li-Xun Yang (MHHNU 11094).
Diagnosis.
Distinguished from Clavaria orientalis and Clavaria zollingeri by its smaller basidiomata and basidiospores.
Description.
Basidiomata (Fig. 6 a, b) branched, brittle, gregarious to caespitose clusters; clusters 25–45 mm high, 30–40 mm broad; branches terete, 2–3 mm wide, 1–3 times, dichotomous; branch tips narrowly rounded or awl-shaped. Fertile part coralloid, smooth, often curved or slightly twisted, pale purple to pale purplish pink [13 A 2-3, 14 A 2-3; Pale Lavender Violet, Pale Lobelia Violet, Pale Purplish Vinaceous], turning white with age. Apex concolorous with lower part, becoming yellowish or tawny with age. Stipe distinct, sterile, smooth, terete, semi-translucent, hygrophanous, slightly darker color than the fertile part. Flesh concolorous with surface of basidiomata.
Basidiospores (Fig. 7 a) [100 / 5 / 3] 3.5–5.0 × 3.0–4.2 (4.5) μm [Q = (1.05) 1.06–1.33, Q = 1.16 ± 0.08], broadly ellipsoid, sometimes subglobose, smooth, hyaline, nonamyloid, thin-walled; hilar appendage present. Basidia (Fig. 7 b) 26–43 × 6.5–8.0 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. Basidiomata produced in summer; known only from the type locality, China.
Additional specimens examined.
China • Hunan Province: Tongdao County, Fengshuwan Forest Park, alt. 400 m, 26°09'45.66"N, 109°46'31.52"E, 6 July 2022, P. Zhang and Li-Xun Yang (MHHNU 11091, MHHNU 11093) .