Biological Species in Pleurotus
INTERSTERILITY GROUP
ISG XI. Pleurotus opuntiae (Durrieu and Léveillé) Saccardo.
[as P. "agaves:" Vilgalys et al., 1996].
Nomenclatural history: The epithet history is quite clear, although its identification remains in some doubt.
Typification: Holotype: ALGERIA, Balazoan, 22.I.1840, on trunk of Cactus opuntia (as Agaricus flabellatus) (PC; annot. Pilát, 1935).
Although Petersen and Krisai-Greilhuber (1999) used Mexican material for mating experiments and micromorphological analysis, they did not adjust typification of P. opuntiae, which remains poor. An epitype is needed.
Mating system: Tetrapolar.
Self-cross (viz. Petersen and Krisai-Greilhuber, 1999). MEXICO, Est. Tlaxcala, date unknown, coll. A. Estrada-Torres (no. 3313). ET3313:8 = A1B1; ET3313:11 = A2B2; ET3313:7 = A1B2; ET3313:10 = A2B1.