Biological Species in Pleurotus
INTERSTERILITY GROUP
ISG IV. Pleurotus cornucopiae (Paulet ex Persoon) Rolland.
1910. Atlas Champ. Franc., pl. 44.
Photo by I. Krisai-Greilhuber
Nomenclatural history: As pointed out by Petersen and Krisai-Greilhuber (1999), Paulet's introduction of Dendrosarcos corncuopiae is obscure, but Persoon's (1801) acceptance of the epithet (in Agaricus), and Fries's (1821) rejection of it [as a synonym of Agaricus (Panus) conchatus] are both clear, as is Rolland's transfer of the epithet to Pleurotus.
Typification: Plate 28 of Paulet's Traité can serve as lectotype, but Petersen and Krisai-Greilhuber (1999) proposed an Austrian epitype specimen (WU, TENN) with cultures (TENN). Epitype: AUSTRIA, Lower Austria, district Krems an der Donau Land, vic Krumau am Kamp, grid map 7458/1, 16.VI.96, coll. Krisai-Greilhuber, no. 6467 (WU), Tennessee tracking number 8763 (TENN 54646).
Taxonomic history: The morphospecies is identified in the field by central to eccentric stipe, depressed pileus, and ruddy tan pileus color. In Central and South America, the habit of P. pulmonarius closely resembles that of P. cornucopiae, with which it may be confused without further examination (P. pulmonarius monomitic; P. cornucopiae dimitic).
Hilber (1982) reported that in vitro basidiomata of P. cornucopiae sometimes produced a vestige of a partial veil, the same phenomenon as seen in in vitro basidiomata of P. levis (Petersen, unpubl. data). Thus, P. cornucopiae, P. levis and P. dryinus all share miticity (dimitic), habit (central to eccentric stipe) and partial veil.
Mating system: tetrapolar (heterothallic of Lamoure, 1989).
Self-cross (viz. Petersen and Krisai-Greilhuber, 1999). AUSTRIA, Lower Austria, district Krems an der Donau Land, 16.VI.96, Tennessee tracking number 8763 (TENN 54646; WU). 8763: 7 = A1B1; 8763:13 = A2B2; 8763:1 = A2B1; A1B2 not represented.
Genetic isolation history: Petersen and Hughes (1993) reported that two collections of P. cornucopiae (not ex epitypus) were incompatible with collections of P. pulmonarius, P. ostreatus, and P. djamor.
var. citrinopileatus (Singer) Ohira in Imazeki & Hongo. 1987. Colored Illust. Mushrooms Japan, p. 28.
Nomenclatural history: Ohira proposed variety rank for Singer’s proposed species epithet.
Taxonomic history: In Asia (Japan, far eastern Russia), a form of P. cornucopiae with brilliant yellow pileus is found in the field and commonly sold in markets. Usually known as P. citrinopileatus Singer, it was found by Ohira (1990) and Petersen and Hughes (1993) to be compatible with P. cornucopiae from Europe. Petersen and Krisai-Greilhuber (1999) report that such color forms occur infrequently in Europe within large fascicles of otherwise normal P. cornucopiae, indicating that the yellow form might be a mutant.
Mating system: tetrapolar.
Self-cross (unpubl. data): PEOPLES’ REPUBLIC OF CHINA, Jilin Prov., Baihe, local market, 7.VIII.88, Tennessee tracking number 1420 (TENN 48569). 1420:1 = A1B1; 1420:12 = A2B2; 1420:4 = A1B2; 1420:2 = A2B1.