| Handkea | |
|---|---|
| Handkea utriformis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Basidiomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Lycoperdaceae |
| Genus: | Handkea Kreisel |
| Type species | |
| Handkea utriformis (Bull.) Kreisel |
|
Handkea is a genus of puffball mushrooms in the Lycoperdaceae family. In 1989, German mycologist Hanns Kreisel described the genus Handkea to include species of Calvatia with distinct microscopic features, including a unique type of capillitium (coarse thick-walled hyphae in the gleba), with curvy slits instead of the usual pores.[1] Although accepted by some authors,[2] the genus concept has been rejected by others.[3][4]
Phylogenetic analyses published in 2008 shows that Handkea may be grouped in a clade along with species from several other genera, including Lycoperdon, Vascellum, Morganella, Bovistella, and Calvatia.[5]