Cantharellus alliodorus Mont. 1835., Prodro. Juan Fernandez: Ann. Sci. Nat., ser. 2, 3: 349

Marasmius alliodorus ≡ (Bertero ex Mont.) Fries 1838 Epicrisis 384. ≡ Marasmiellus alliodorus (Bertero ex Montagne) Singer 1955. Sydowia 9: 381 [see Index of Fungi 2: 277 as “alllodorus” not validly published]. ≡ Marasmiellus alliodorus (Mont.) Singer, Ark. Bot. ser. 2, 4(9): 381. 1959.

Commentary.

In spite of an extensive literature (Singer 1955, 1959, 1965, 1969, 1973, 1975), two questionable illustrations (Singer 1973, fig. 96; Singer 1959 Pl. 1, fig. 1) and Singer’s report on the type specimen (Singer 1955), the affiliation of this organism remains in doubt. Some literature is arcane and/or imprecise and authentic herbarium material unavailable. Two detailed but almost identical descriptions (including but not limited to authentic and type specimens; Singer 1955, 1959) can be dissected, but Singer (1959, 1965) indicated a wide variation in macromorphological appearance (referring to four “forms,” although without formally proposing them).

Two characters give cause to consider the fungus as belonging in Mycetinis: 1) [Singer 1969: "The carpophores as well as the mycelium have a strong smell of garlic (which, in our region, they have in common only with Marasmius aporpohyphes), so that it is often smelled before it is seen"]; and 2) structure of pileipellis, described and illustrated as composed of swollen hyphal termini, often with diverticula plus diverticulate broom cell-like termini, all in an "epicutis of pileus with a distinct Ramealis -structure" (Singer 1955).

If eventually found to belong in Mycetinis, Ma. alliodorus would join the group of species with diminutive basidiomata, My. yunnanensis, My. olidus, My. cinnamomeus, etc.

Bullach’s (2003) report of Ma. alliodorus from eastern Russia is doubtful, equally so with reference to My. yunnanensis, known only from the other end of China. Another species of Mycetinis is to be expected.

Based on Singer’s protologue, illustration and reference (Singer 1969: 73) there is a slight possibility that M. aporpohyphes Singer could also be a Mycetinis . If so, it would be the only clampless taxon in the genus.