Table 1 Morphological characteristics of the Cyathus groups proposed by Brodie (1975)
Group | Morphological characteristics |
|---|---|
Group I—olla | Peridium expanded in the upper portion, not plicated, smooth-textured, with fine tomentum, usually shorter. External wall not contrasting with the inner wall. Basidiospores mostly ovoid, thin-walled, and with a thin tunica |
Group II—pallidus | Peridium mostly light colored, not expanded abruptly in the mouth, not plicated. External wall woolly, with the long tomentum conspicuously directed downward. Smooth endoperidium, basidiospores mostly ovoid, thin-walled, and with a thin tunica |
Group III—triplex | Peridium mostly dark colored, sometimes with an inconspicuous plication only in the endoperidium. Exoperidium with long hairs, sometimes aggregated into tufts. Smooth endoperidium, white or silver. Subhomogeneous cortex or distinctly double. Basidiospores ellipsoid, thick-walled, tunica thin or absent |
Group IV—gracilis | Peridium not plicated, tomentum aggregated into tufts, basidiospores ellipsoid, thick-walled, and thin tunica |
Group V—stercoreus | Peridium not plicated, numerous tomentum hair, irregular in length, woolly in appearance. Peridioles black or darker, tunic absent, basidiospores large and subglobose |
Group VI—poeppigii | Exoperidium and endoperidium distinctly plicated, tomentum hirsute, strongly brownish. Peridioles dark to black, basidiospores large, globose, or ellipsoid. Tunica absent |
Group VII—striatus | Endoperidium distinctly plicated. Exoperidium sometimes inconspicuous, with tomentum hirsute to woolly. Basidiospores mostly elliptical, tunica present |