Synonyms: Hydnum calvum, Isaria calva, Isaria hydnoides, Mucronella abnormis, Mucronella aggregata, Mucronia aggregata, Mucronia calva.
Common name: swarming spine.
Mucronella calva is a species of fungus that belongs to the family Clavariaceae. It is characterized by its small to medium size, typically 1-5 cm tall, with a simple or branched stem and a capitate or mucronate apex. In East and Central Texas, Mucronella calva has been found growing on decaying wood, particularly on hardwoods such as oak and maple, in moist environments like stream banks and woodland edges. The fungus typically fruits in the spring and summer months, producing white to pale yellowish spores. It is considered a relatively rare species in the region, but can be locally common in areas with suitable habitat.
Clustered icicle fungus (Mucronella calva) on rotting wood on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, October 6, 2018
Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Close up of clustered icicle fungus (Mucronella calva) on rotting wood on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, October 6, 2018Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Tiny white clustered icicle fungus (Mucronella calva) under a pine log in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, November 28, 2019194 Pine Hill Loop, Bastrop, TX 78602, USA
Tiny white clustered icicle fungus (Mucronella calva) on underside surface of a pine log in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, November 28, 2019194 Pine Hill Loop, Bastrop, TX 78602, USA
Tiny white clustered icicle fungus (Mucronella calva) on rotting pine wood in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, November 28, 2019194 Pine Hill Loop, Bastrop, TX 78602, USA
Tiny clustered icicle fungus (Mucronella calva) under a wet pine log on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, December 7, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Cleveland, TX 77328, USA
Corticioid fungus Coniophora olivacea and clustered icicle fungus (Mucronella calva) on a fallen pine on Little Lake Creek Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, February 8, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Richards, TX 77873, USA
Clustered icicle fungus (Mucronella calva) on rotting wood on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 8, 2020Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Clustered icicle fungus (Mucronella calva) on wet wood on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 8, 2020Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Close-up of clustered icicle fungus (Mucronella calva) on rotting wood on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 8, 2020Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Swarming spine fungus (Mucronella calva) on a wet pine log on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 28, 2020LSHT Little Lake Creek Loop, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Close-up of swarming spine fungus (Mucronella calva) on a wet pine log on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 28, 2020LSHT Little Lake Creek Loop, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Tiny white clustered icicle fungus (Mucronella calva) under a pine log on South Wilderness Loop Trail at Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, June 19, 2021Forest Service Rd 231, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Close-up of tiny white clustered icicle fungus (Mucronella calva) under a pine log on South Wilderness Loop Trail at Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, June 19, 2021Forest Service Rd 231, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Swarming spine (Mucronella calva) mushrooms together with a corticioid fungus on a pine log on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, January 22, 2022Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Swarming spine fungus (Mucronella calva) together with tiny Ascomycete on underside of a pine log on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, January 26, 2022Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Swarming spine fungus (Mucronella calva) together with some crust fungus on a pine log on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, February 27, 2022Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Swarming spine fungus (Mucronella calva) together with some white corticioid fungus on a pine log on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, February 27, 2022Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Swarming spine fungus (Mucronella calva) on underside of a pine log on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 9, 2022Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Tissues of Mucronella calva mushrooms under a microscope, collected from a fallen pine in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 9, 2022
Spores of a fungus Mucronella calva under a microscope, collected in Sam Houston National Forest 4/9/2022. Texas, April 10, 2022
Spore size 3.6 - 3.9 × 2.2 - 2.6 µm, length to width ratio Q = 1.44 - 1.8.
Spores of a fungus Mucronella calva and some large blob collected in Sam Houston National Forest 4/9/2022. Texas, April 10, 2022
Swarming spine fungus (Mucronella calva) on a thick wet rotting pine on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 8, 2023Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Swarming spine mushrooms (Mucronella calva) on a wet fallen pine on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 8, 2023Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Close-up of swarming spine mushrooms (Mucronella calva) on a wet fallen pine on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 8, 2023Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Spores (in lugol) of swarming spine fungus (Mucronella calva) from thick wet pine log collected in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery a day before. Texas, April 9, 2023
Spores (in Toluidine blue dye) of swarming spine fungus (Mucronella calva) from thick wet pine log collected in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery a day before. Texas, April 9, 2023
Tooth with crystals of swarming spine fungus (Mucronella calva) under a microscope with x40 objective, collected in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery a day before. Texas, April 9, 2023
Basidia of swarming spine fungus (Mucronella calva) under a microscope with x40 objective, collected in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery a day before. Texas, April 9, 2023
Tissues of a tooth of swarming spine fungus (Mucronella calva) under a microscope with x40 objective, collected in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery a day before. Texas, April 9, 2023
Tiny tooth mushrooms Mucronella calva together with some white corticioid fungus under a pine log on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 25, 2023Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Close-up of tiny tooth mushrooms Mucronella calva together with some white corticioid fungus under a pine log on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 25, 2023Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Spores of tiny mushrooms Mucronella calva together with white corticioid fungus from pine log, collected in Sam Houston National Forest a day before. Texas, April 26, 2023
Mixture of spores of tiny mushrooms Mucronella calva together with white corticioid fungus from pine log, collected in Sam Houston National Forest a day before. Texas, April 26, 2023
Large spores of tiny mushrooms Mucronella calva together with white corticioid fungus from pine log, collected in Sam Houston National Forest a day before. Texas, April 26, 2023The fungus Mucronella calva was observed in East and Central Texas over several years. Most sightings were in Sam Houston National Forest, particularly on rotting pine wood and logs. The fungus was found in various locations within the forest, including Caney Creek Trail, Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, and Richards Loop Trail. Observations occurred from October to April, with multiple sightings in December and April. The fungus was often found in association with other fungi, such as corticioid fungi. Microscopic examinations of the fungus's spores and tissues were also conducted. The observations suggest that Mucronella calva is a common species in the region, thriving on decaying pine wood in moist environments. The data provides valuable information on the habitat and distribution of this fungus in East and Central Texas.
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