''Spathularia'' is a
genus of
fungi in the family
Cudoniaceae. Species in the genus are found in
coniferous forests around the bases of
conifer
Conifers are a group of conifer cone, cone-bearing Spermatophyte, seed plants, a subset of gymnosperms. Scientifically, they make up the phylum, division Pinophyta (), also known as Coniferophyta () or Coniferae. The division contains a single ...
s or near rotting logs. The genus name is
Latin for 'broad sword'.
''Spathularia flavida''
''
Spathularia flavida'', like other members of the family Cudoniaceae, is distinguished by having long, needle-like spores. A
common name
In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often contrast ...
for ''Spathularia flavida'' is yellow Earth tongue. The
spores are tightly packed side by side in the asci. The fruit body of ''S. flavida'' is a light yellowish-brown color and rarely of a brown color. The stipe grows to about eight centimeters in length and one centimeter in girth, and the flattened head grows on the sides of the stipe. It has a fairly smooth head and stipe, and has no odor.
Several specimens were recovered in two expeditions to Sichuan Province, China, in 1997 and 1998.
The habitat ranges across continents, mainly the coniferous forests of the United States and Europe. It can be found near the bases of coniferous trees in ring shaped clusters; however, sightings are rare and infrequent.
''Spathularia neesii''
''Spathularia neesii'' is similar to ''S. flavida it is roughly the same size and shape, up to 8 centimeters in length and 1 centimeter in stipe width. Their colors are also similar–both are of a pale yellow but ''S. neesii'' tends to have a pale brown, tan, color, unlike the yellow of ''S. flavida''. When dried both specimens look identical and is almost impossible to tell a difference with the naked eye. The distinguishing feature of ''S. neesii'' is the spores that measure 60 to 80 mic. long, around 20 mic. longer than that of ''S. flavida''.
References
Helotiales genera
Helotiales
{{Leotiomycetes-stub