Synonym: Coccospora lignatilis.
Sphaerosporium lignatile is an ascomycetous fungus that grows on decaying wood. In East and Central Texas, it has been found on submerged logs and branches in freshwater environments, particularly in rivers and streams. The fungus produces globose to subglobose ascomata with short stalks, containing cylindrical asci with fusoid ascospores. It is a relatively rare find in the region, but can be encountered in areas with abundant woody debris.
Sphaerosporium lignatile mushrooms on a wet rotten oak near a creek on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, December 25, 2017
Sphaerosporium lignatile mushrooms on brown rotten wood of a big oak on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, February 19, 2018
1101 Williams Creek Dr, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Sphaerosporium lignatile mushrooms on a rotten oak near a creek on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, February 19, 20181101 Williams Creek Dr, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Mushrooms Sphaerosporium lignatile on a rotten oak log near a creek on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, March 1, 20181101 Williams Creek Dr, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Mushrooms Sphaerosporium lignatile on underside of a rotten oak log at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 29, 2020Lake Somerville Trailway, Somerville, TX 77879, USA
Fuzzy orange blobs of fungus Sphaerosporium lignatile on rotting oak wood on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, March 1, 2022Kiwanis Nature Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77843, United States
Close-up of fungus Sphaerosporium lignatile on wet rotting oak wood on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, March 1, 2022Kiwanis Nature Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77843, United States
Texture of fungus Sphaerosporium lignatile on wet rotting oak wood on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, March 1, 2022Kiwanis Nature Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77843, United States
Orange clusters of fungus Sphaerosporium lignatile on wet rotting oak wood on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, March 1, 2022Kiwanis Nature Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77843, United States
Spores of fungus Sphaerosporium lignatile collected on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, March 1, 2022
Spores of fungus Sphaerosporium lignatile under microscope, collected on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, March 1, 2022
Spores of fungus Sphaerosporium lignatile at higher magnification, collected on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, March 1, 2022
Spores of fungus Sphaerosporium lignatile in iodine solution, collected on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, March 1, 2022
Large spores of fungus Sphaerosporium lignatile collected on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, March 1, 2022
Large spores of fungus Sphaerosporium lignatile at higher magnification, collected on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, March 1, 2022
Spores of fungus Sphaerosporium lignatile in KOH solution, collected on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, March 1, 2022Observations of Sphaerosporium lignatile in East and Central Texas reveal that the fungus grows on rotten oak wood, often near creeks, with sightings recorded on Kiwanis Nature Trail in College Station and Lake Somerville Trailway. The fungus appears as fuzzy orange blobs or clusters on wet rotting oak wood, with a distinctive texture. Spores collected from the fungus were examined under a microscope, revealing large spores that react to iodine and KOH solutions. Multiple observations were made between 2017 and 2022, with consistent findings of the fungus's growth habits and characteristics. The majority of sightings occurred on Kiwanis Nature Trail, suggesting that the fungus is well-established in this area. Overall, the observations provide a detailed understanding of Sphaerosporium lignatile's appearance, growth habits, and spore characteristics in East and Central Texas.
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