Kingdom Fungi Class Geoglossomycetes Family Geoglossaceae Rank Species | Division Ascomycota Order Geoglossales Genus Geoglossum | |
Geoglossum dunense is an earth tongue fungus in the family Geoglossaceae. Described as new to science in 2015, it is found in the islands of Cyprus and Malta, where it grows on coastal dunes under the Phoenicean juniper (Juniperus phoenicea).
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Description
The tiny fruitbodies, measuring 1−2.3 cm by 0.8−1.1 cm, are black, dry, and consist of a lobed or club-shaped head and a minutely squamulose stipe. The spores are fusiform to subfusiform and measure (28−) 31−44 (−53) by (7−) 8−10 (−12) μm. At maturity they develop 2−3, or very rarely 1−4 septa. The paraphyses are highly polymorphic and often moniliform, hooked, branched, or contorted. The asci are large, 8-spored and have an amyloid apical pore.
Ecology and distribution
So far, this apparently rare species is only known from two localities in the Mediterranean, from the islands of Cyprus and Malta. It grows on coastal dunes and salt marshes among Juniperus, Olea and Fumana shrubs.