Centre for Mushroom Research and Training Department of Plant Pathology, CSKHPKV, Palampur–176062
National Symposium on Strategic Issues in Plant Pathological Research held at Department of Plant Pathology, CSK HP Krishi Vishvavidayalaya, Palampur on November 24–25, 2011
The genus is widespread but contains only 15 species (Kirk et al., 2008). The species of this genus are mostly ectomycorrhizal with trees of Nathophagus, Eucalyptus and Leptospermum. Descolea pretiosa Horak. is the first record of the species representing this genus from India. Earlier this species has been encountered from Eastern Siberia, Korea, Japan, Pupea and New Guinea in the forest of Pinaceae. Basidiocarps grow solitary or caespitose on humus rich soil at an altitude of 2000 m above m.s.l. This species is taxonomically characterized by following features. Pileus 2.0 – 5.0 cm in diameter, convex to plane, sometimes uplifted with age, moist, olivaceous brown to deep brown, surface having deep yellow to orange colored powdery warts or remnants of the universal veil, margins regular, incurved to slightly decurve in older specimens, translucently striate. Pileus flesh very thin, white to yellowish, unchanging on cutting and bruising. Lamellae up to 0.4 cm broad, thin, slightly adnexed to adnate, cream white to yellow, edge entire, lamellulae of different lengths present. Stipe 6 – 11 cm long, 1.0 – 2.0 cm diameter, central, cylindrical, having bulbous base. Annulus in the form of an apical to subapical ring, having ridges or grooves on the upper surface, yellow.
