As a generic name Ophiotheca plainly has priority. Cornuvia as understood by Rostafinski has no representative so far in our region.
Key to the Species of Ophiotheca
| A. Plasmodiocarp usually upon herbaceous stems, slender | 1. O. vermicularis | |
| B. Plasmodiocarp on rotting bark, logs, etc, | ||
| a. Pale brownish or yellowish | 2. O. chrysosperma | |
| b. Chestnut brown or blackish | 3. O. wrightii | |
1. Ophiotheca vermicularis (Schw.) Macbr.
- 1834. Physarum vermicularis Schw., N. A. F., No. 2296.
- 1869. Ophiotheca pallida Berk. & C., Jour. Lin. Soc., X., p. 350.
- 1873. Ophiotheca umbrina Berk. & C. Grev., II., p. 88.
- 1876. Perichaena pallida (Schw.) Rost., Mon. App., p. 34.
Plasmodiocarp very slender, terete, elongate, flexuous or reticulate, annular, etc., of dull gray or neutral tint; the peridium thin, translucent, but with a delicate granular outer coating; capillitium of slender threads, frequently branched, warted and usually minutely spinulose; spore-mass ochraceous yellow; spores by transmitted light pale yellow, minutely roughened, 10 µ.
Perhaps common, but seldom collected, probably overlooked on account of protective coloration; the color is about that of the habitat, the weathered surface of dead herbaceous stems and roots. On dead corn stalks not infrequent. Differs from other species of the genus in having smoother capillitium, for which reason Rostafinski calls the present species Perichaena vermicularis. O. pallida Berk. & C. seems to us to be the same thing, N. A. F., 726.
New England, New Jersey, South Carolina, Ontario, Ohio, Iowa.
2. Ophiotheca chrysosperma Currey.
- 1854. Ophiotheca chrysosperma Currey, Quart. Mic. Jour., II., p. 240.
- 1875. Cornuvia circumscissa (Wallr.) Rost., Mon., p. 290.
- 1911. Perichaena chrysosperma Lister, Mycetozoa, 2nd ed., in part, p. 248.