Artomyces pyxidatus

*Artomyces pyxidatus*
Mycological characteristics
Artomyces pyxidatus Mycological characteristics
	Smooth hymenium
	No distinct cap
	Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable
	Lacks a stipe
	Spore print is white
	Ecology is saprotrophic
	Edibility is edible

Artomyces pyxidatus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Russulales
Family:	Auriscalpiaceae
Genus:	Artomyces
Species:	A. pyxidatus
Binomial name
	Artomyces pyxidatus; (Pers.) Jülich (1982)
Synonyms
	Clavaria pyxidata Pers. (1794); Merisma pyxidatum (Pers.) Spreng. (1827); Clavaria coronata Schwein. (1832); Clavaria petersii Berk. & M.A.Curtis (1873); Clavicorona coronata (Schwein.) Doty (1947); Clavicorona pyxidata (Pers.) Doty (1947);

Artomyces pyxidatus is a coral fungus that is commonly called crown coral or crown-tipped coral fungus. Its most characteristic feature is the crown-like shape of the tips of its branches. The epithet pyxidatus means "box-like"—a reference to this shape.^[2]

Description

The hard, coral-like fruiting bodies reach 4–10 centimetres (1+1⁄2–4 in) tall.^[3] The colour ranges from cream to semi-tan.^[4] The branches rise in ringlike arrangements resembling a crown.^[4] Basidia and basidiospores are produced on the surfaces of the branches. The spore print is white.^[3]

The sesquiterpene compounds pyxidatols A-C, tsuicoline E and omphadiol have been obtained from the liquid culture of this fungus.^[5]

Similar species

DNA evidence and microscopy indicates that the species is closely related to members of the genera Russula and Lentinellus, as well as Auriscalpium vulgare.^[4] Artomyces piperatus is found on the North American West Coast.^[3] Other similar species include Clavulina avellanea, C. cristata, C. divaricata, C. piperata, and C. taxophila.^[4] Additionally, Ramaria stricta is similar but lacks crown-like tips.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

In eastern North America, A. pyxidatus appears on decaying wood from June to September.^[3] It can be observed throughout Northern Canada during the growing season. In Britain, it was recorded in 2011, almost 116 years after its previous reliable report, a collection made by mycologist Carleton Reale on 20 October 1886. Two subsequent records have been provided in Britain since 2011; one by Yvonne Davidson in Kent in 2018, and one by Cameron Ambler in East Sussex in 2021. Found in Kent in 2023^[6] It is widespread but uncommon in Western Europe. They are also widely found in the pine forest of northeastern India, known as the "eight sisters of India".^{[citation needed]}

Uses

Although usually found in insubstantial quantities,^[7] these fungi are considered edible raw,^[2] but are better cooked. According to one guide, it is best served when fried with chopped potatoes.^[8]

The fungus are known to be served as meal amongst the tribal groups of Northeast India since time immemorial.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ "Artomyces pyxidatus (Pers.) Jülich 1982". MycoBank. International Mycological Association. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
^ ^a ^b Henrici A, Mahler N (2012). "Artomyces pyxidatus refound in Britain". Field Mycology. 14 (1): 31–32. doi:10.1016/j.fldmyc.2012.12.009.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Audubon (2023). Mushrooms of North America. Knopf. pp. 129, 152. ISBN 978-0-593-31998-7.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. pp. 250–251. ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.
^ Zheng Y-B, Lu C-H, Zheng Z-H, Lin X-J, Su W-J, Shen Y-M (2008). "New sesquiterpenes from edible fungus Clavicorona pyxidata". Helvetica Chimica Acta. 91 (11): 2174–80. doi:10.1002/hlca.200890235.
^ Austin, Yvette (16 November 2023). "Ecologist finds rare form of fungus in Kent". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
^ Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p. 346. ISBN 978-0-7627-3109-1.
^ Meuninck, Jim (2017). Foraging Mushrooms Oregon: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Mushrooms. Falcon Guides. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-4930-2669-2.

External links

Media related to Artomyces pyxidatus at Wikimedia Commons
Clavicorona pyxidata at Tom Volk's Fungi

This Russulales-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[urlMycoBank:_Artomyces_pyxidatus-1] "Artomyces pyxidatus (Pers.) Jülich 1982". MycoBank. International Mycological Association. Retrieved 2011-01-18.

[Henrici_2012-2] Henrici A, Mahler N (2012). "Artomyces pyxidatus refound in Britain". Field Mycology. 14 (1): 31–32. doi:10.1016/j.fldmyc.2012.12.009.

[audu-3] Audubon (2023). Mushrooms of North America. Knopf. pp. 129, 152. ISBN 978-0-593-31998-7.

[:0-4] Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. pp. 250–251. ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.

[Zheng_2008-5] Zheng Y-B, Lu C-H, Zheng Z-H, Lin X-J, Su W-J, Shen Y-M (2008). "New sesquiterpenes from edible fungus Clavicorona pyxidata". Helvetica Chimica Acta. 91 (11): 2174–80. doi:10.1002/hlca.200890235.

[Austin2023-6] Austin, Yvette (16 November 2023). "Ecologist finds rare form of fungus in Kent". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 16 November 2023.

[Miller_2006-7] Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p. 346. ISBN 978-0-7627-3109-1.

[8] Meuninck, Jim (2017). Foraging Mushrooms Oregon: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Mushrooms. Falcon Guides. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-4930-2669-2.

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