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Go to the NZFungi website for more indepth information on Entoloma cucurbita. Entoloma cucurbita

Synonyms

Rhodophyllus cucurbita

Biostatus

Present in region - Indigenous. Non endemic

Images (click to enlarge)

 

Caption: Entoloma cucurbita Hk. (holotype): a. carpophores. b. spores. c. cuticle.

Caption: Dried type specimen
Owner: Herb PDD

Caption: Dried type specimen
Owner: Herb PDD
 

Article: Horak, E. (1973). Fungi Agaricini Novazelandiae I-V. Beihefte zur Nova Hedwigia 43: 200 p.
Description: Pileus 15-30 mm diam., papillate or convex with distinct conical umbo, margin incurved at first, later becoming upturned, beige-brown to grey-brown, smooth, dry, striate towards the margin. Lamellae (L10-14, l 3) adnexed to subfree, whitish when young turning pinkish-brown, gill edge concolorous. Stipe 20-35 x 2-4 mm, cylindrical, beige or grey-brown, with concolorous, silky fibrils towards the base, dry, fistulose, brittle. Context grey to brownish. Odor and taste strongly farinaceous or like cucumber.
Spores 9.5-11 x 7.5-8 µm, 5-angled. Basidia 30-35 x 8 µm, 4-spored. Cheilo- and pleurocystidia none. Cuticle a cutis of repent, cylindrical hyphae (6-10 µm diam. ), loosely interwoven, membrane thin-walled, hyaline, with brown plasmatic pigment. Clamp connections absent.
Habitat: On soil in forests (under Weinmannia, Dacrydium cupressinum, Metrosideros sp.). New Zealand.
Notes: E. cucurbita is characterised by its strong farinaceous smell, prominent conical papilla and complex spores with pronounced angles.