Further study of Hypomyces and its effect upon fungi, and of the particular host-plants is desirable.
H. lac´tifluorum (Schw.) Tulasne—lac, milk; fluorum, flowing. (Plate [CXXXVI], fig. 5, p. 508.) Asci long and slender, sporidia in one row, spindle-shaped, straight or slightly curved, rough, hyaline, uniseptate, cuspidate-pointed at the ends, 30–38×6–8µ.
The general appearance is much the same as that of H. aurantius (Pers.) Tul., but the sporidia are larger, rough and warted, and the felt-like mycelium is wanting.
In the affected species of Lactarius the gills are entirely obliterated, so that the hymenium of the agaric presents an even, orange-colored surface on which the subglobose perithecia are thickly bedded, with only their slightly prominent reddish ostiola visible. In decay the color changes to a purplish-red.
On Lactarius, especially L. piperatus.
New Jersey, Ellis; Alabama, U. and E.; Minnesota, Arthur; Nova Scotia, Dr. Somers; on various species of Lactarius, 1895, Ala. Bull.; South Carolina, Ravenel; Pennsylvania, Everhart.
West Virginia, 1881–1882; Haddonfield, N.J., Mt. Gretna, Pa., August to October. McIlvaine.
This fungus puzzled me for many years. August, 1896, I sent several specimens to Professor Peck of different colors—orange, red, whitish and purple.
Professor Peck kindly identified the specimens and wrote: “In one the matrix of the host-plant has not been so completely changed or transformed as in the other. It would be interesting to know what species of Lactarius it is that Hypomyces attacks. I have never been able to ascertain, and have sometimes thought it might be Cantharellus cibarius, but this specimen of yours indicates, rather, a Lactarius.”
Of the purple specimen he wrote: “This is a beautiful thing, and as I find nothing like it described I have given it a name—Hypomyces purpureus Peck.”