Microglossum olivaceum

Photo: David Harries

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Description

General: Olive green tongue-like spindles; in small trooping groups amongst grass.
Dimensions: 2-5cm tall x 0.2-0.7cm dia
Fruit Body: Olive green, slenderly clavate, smooth, flattened, longitudinally furrowed; merging into a slender, cylindrical, smooth, glossy stalk; flesh: concolorous, hollow, fragile.
Asci: Up to 150 x 10 µm.
Spores: (8) hyaline, smooth, cylindrical-fusiform, with large oil droplets, becoming 3-septate,15-20 x 5-6 µm. Paraphyses slender, branched, slightly thickened at the tips.
Odour: Not Distinctive.
Taste: Not Distinctive.
Chemical Tests: None.
Occurrence: Autumn.

 

Qualifying criterion: 4.4: rare species normally associated with unimproved grasslands
Justification: habitat declining throughout European region; current BAP action needs to be continued
Threats: agricultural changes, neglect of traditional grasslands, afforestation
Action Required: Research in to grassland waxcap ecology, survey and monitoring; appropriate site management.

 

Statistics:

UK (excluding NI & CI) fungus records

update

Total records: 195

Earliest recording: 1853
Latest recording: 2005
Vice Counties and (frequency): 1(4); 2(3); 3(2); 6(4); 8(1); 11(8); 12(1); 13(1); 16(6); 17(4); 20(2); 23(4); 25(2); 35(9); 36(6); 40(7); 41(4); 42(11); 43(2); 44(5); 45(1); 46(5); 47(1); 49(2); 51(1); 57(2); 58(2); 60(9); 62(6); 63(7); 66(2); 78(1); 85(1); 88(3); 92(11); 98(3); 103(3); 104(6); 112(1)
Pre-1960:
NBN Gateway grid map Post-1960: