Synonyms: Hypolyssus cervinus, Hypomyces cervinigenus, Mycogone cervina, Puccinia cervina, Sepedonium cervinum.
Common name: saddle's child.
Hypomyces cervinus is a fungus that parasitizes certain species of mushrooms, particularly in the genus Russula. In East and Central Texas, it has been found on various hosts, including Russula spp., often causing a red to orange discoloration of the infected mushroom's cap and stem. The fungus produces perithecia, which are flask-shaped structures containing asci and ascospores, typically measuring 300-500 μm in diameter. Hypomyces cervinus is relatively common in the region, particularly in wooded areas with rich soil and abundant organic matter, where its hosts are frequently encountered.
Saddle mushroom (Helvella) with a parasitic mold fungus (Hypomyces cervinus) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, April 8, 2018
Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Felt saddle mushrooms (Helvella macropus) with mold fungus Hypomyces cervinus on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, October 21, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Felt saddle mushrooms (Helvella macropus) covered by mold fungus Hypomyces cervinus on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, October 21, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Ascomycete felt saddle mushroom (Helvella macropus) with mold-like fungus Hypomyces cervinus on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 6, 2020Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Dissected cup mushroom Helvella macropus with mold-like fungus Hypomyces cervinus on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 6, 2020Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Russula mutabilis and Helvella mushroom with fungus Hypomyces cervinus on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 7, 2021Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Peziza with mold fungus Hypomyces cervinus collected at mushroom walk of Gulf States Mycological Society. Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary, Cleveland, Texas, November 13, 2021San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Felt saddle mushroom (Helvella macropus) with mold fungus Hypomyces cervinus on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, May 1, 2024Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Spores of mold fungus Hypomyces cervinus from Helvella, collected on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, May 1, 2024Observations of the fungus Hypomyces cervinus in East and Central Texas reveal its frequent association with various mushroom species, including Helvella macropus, Russula mutabilis, and Peziza. The fungus was found on multiple trails in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville and Montgomery, across different seasons and years (2018-2024). Specific locations include Caney Creek Trail, Lone Star Hiking Trail, and Richards Loop Trail. Hypomyces cervinus was observed growing on the mushrooms, often covering them with a mold-like appearance. The fungus was also collected during a mushroom walk at Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary in Cleveland, Texas. Spores of the fungus were collected from Helvella on Richards Loop Trail, providing further evidence of its presence in the region. These observations suggest that Hypomyces cervinus is a common parasitic fungus in East and Central Texas.
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