The Genus Ditiola

SUMMARYThe outstanding characteristic of the genus Ditiola is the heterogeneous composition of the basidiocarp with a zone of thin-walled, frequently septate, branching hyphae adjacent to the hymenium, and a zone of thick-walled hyphae with few branches and septa in the basal part or stipe. This feature shows in section as a thinner more translucent zone near the hymenium contrasting with a more compact zone in the base of the basidiocarp. The basidiocarps may be pustulate, turbinate, or stipitate and pileate with stipes of varying length, and all these stages produce mature basidia and basidiospores. They are rooted in and erumpent from the wood.Within the genus, Ditiola radicata is considered to be the only valid species. The new variety Ditiola radicata var. gyrocephala is proposed for collections with dark brown basidiocarps and prominent stipes.The species Ditiola radicata is known from North and South America, Europe and Tasmania.