Sporangia compound, that is gathered in tufts, number 3–12 or more on a single stipe, the clusters themselves scattered; individual sporangia elongate cylindric, about 3–4 mm. long, ashen gray or nearly white, stipitate; stipe as long or longer than the sporangium, stout, sometimes showing traces of consolidation of several, sometimes none, dark brown or black; capillitium looser and more expanded than in the last, the threads more strongly spinulose; spore-mass concolorous, spores under the lens colorless, smooth, globose, 7.5–8 µ
Closely related to the preceding, but different in habit and on the whole larger and more robust throughout. The stipes in some cases are completely merged in one; in others traces of coalescence remain. The number of united sporangia varies. There are some clusters before us containing 16 and 18 in a single fascicle!
Not very common. On rotten wood of deciduous trees, especially south.
New England, Pennsylvania, Ohio; Black Hills, South Dakota, and south to Nicaragua.
Arcyria bicolor Berk. & C. seems to refer to the fact that the sporangia have sometimes an ochraceous tint. Berkeley's specimens are from Cuba. Our latest specimens are from Nicaragua; the form seems not to be reported from the old world.
11. Arcyria pomiformis (Leers) Rost.
- 1775. Mucor pomiformis Leers, Flor. Herb., p. 218.
- 1875. Arcyria pomiformis Rost., Mon., p. 271.
Sporangia scattered, gregarious, globose, bright yellow, very minute, .5 mm. high, .3 mm. in diameter, stipitate; stipe short, one-third the total height, pale brown or yellow; hypothallus none; capillitium loose, freely expanding, not deciduous, honey-yellow, the threads generally wide, 4–5 µ, toward the periphery more narrow, 2.5 µ warted, marked with blunt spinules, which not infrequently pass into distinct transverse, narrow plates or half-rings, free ends clavate and numerous; spore-mass yellow, spores by transmitted light smooth, granular, globose, 7–9 µ.
This species as represented by the material before us seems constant in size, color, and microscopic characters, in all which it differs from all species here listed. It resembles somewhat Lachnobolus globosus Schw., but differs in habit, habitat, color, the capillitium, its attachment and in the mode of dehiscence. In the present species the wall is evanescent almost in toto; in L. globosus is it remarkably persistent, and the capillitium is adherent.
Probably rare. Its smallness removes it from sight of all but the most exact collectors. Maine, New York, South Carolina, Alabama, Missouri, Iowa; Black Hills, South Dakota; Ontario;—Miss Currie.