Gomphus (fungus)

Gomphus

Gomphus clavatus Albin Schmalfuß, 1897
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Phallales
Family:	Gomphaceae
Genus:	Gomphus Pers.
Type species
Gomphus clavatus (Pers.) Gray
Species
G. africanus G. brunneus G. clavatus G. crassipes G. dingleyae G. floccosus G. kauffmanii G. mamorensis G. novae-zelandiae G. szechwanensis G. viridis

For the genus of dragonfly, see Gomphus (dragonfly).

Gomphus is a small genus of cantharelloid fungi in the family Gomphaceae. The genus has a widespread distribution in temperate regions, and contains 10 species.^[1] Once presumed to be related to chanterelles, molecular study has shown them to be allied with stinkhorns and fairy clubs. The genus is polyphyletic which would possibly result in a new name for G. floccosus in the future. The type species of the genus is the pig's ear (G. clavatus).

There are several undescribed species in the forests of Myrtle beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii) in Tasmania.^[2] Bruce Fuhrer noticed in 1992 that the large and ornamented spores of these species resembled those of the genera Ramaria and Beenakia.^[3]

The generic name is derived from the Greek 'γομφος' gomphos meaning 'plug' or 'large wedge-shaped nail'.^[4]

References

^ Kirk PM, Cannon PF, Minter DW, Stalpers JA. (2008). Dictionary of the Fungi (10th ed.). Wallingford: CABI. p. 290. ISBN 9780851998268.
^ Fuhrer B (2005) A Field Guide to Australian Fungi. Bloomings Books. ISBN 1-876473-51-7
^ Fuhrer B & Robinson R (1992). Rainforest Fungi of Tasmania and Southeast Australia. CSIRO Press. ISBN 978-0-643-05311-3.
^ Liddell HJ, Scott R (1980). Greek-English Lexicon, Abridged Edition. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. ISBN 0-19-910207-4.