Volvariella surrecta
Piggyback Pinkgill
Names
Scientific: Volvariella surrecta
English: Piggyback Rosegill
(other scientific names include Agaricus surrectus, Volvaria surrecta, Agaricus loveianus, Volvaria loveiana)
Description
This species fruits on the fruiting structures of a common and well known late season, litter rotting species - Clitocybe nebularis (Clouded Funnel) (see profile from December 2012). It is not entirely clear whether it is an obligate parasite or a host specific saprotroph (litter rotter) of this latter fungus. I rather wonder whether it might be a bit of both - it apparently can be found on decomposing fruit bodies but my own (single!) experience is that it was forming on very distorted Clitocybe fruit bodies but they felt quite firm and not at all rotten.
The genus Volvariella has free gills, produces pink spores and is also distinguished by the presence of a distinct volva (see the images below). Given such distinct macro characters, the particular niche preference of this species, growing out of the Clitocybe, would pretty much nail this one. More information about some of these terms and fungal lifestyles.
Fruiting
October and November seem to be when this species is usually recorded in England. The Scottish collection was made on National Fungus Day - October 13th but I would expect the host to be fruiting well into December or even January in Scotland.
Habitat
The host species, Clitocybe nebularis is often found in nitrogen rich soil and litter in gardens and both deciduous and coniferous woodlands. Since the key to finding Volvariella surrecta is to track down the host, these are the habitats to check. It has to be said that I have looked at a lot of C. nebularis without seeing any Volvariella!
Distribution
The Checklist gives the distribution as ‘frequency unknown' in England and Scotland. This species is not commonly recorded in England although I notice that it was collected at this year's British Mycological Society autumn foray in Cambridgeshire and the map below suggests that it is widespread. Now we have one confirmed dot in Scotland - it would be great to find some more sites.
Please remember to submit your records to your local recording group or via the Scottish Fungi online recording form.
This fruit body is gradually appearing through its volva. The distorted host, Clitocybe nebularis, is clearly seen.
Please remember to submit your records to your local recording group or via the Scottish Fungi online recording form.
Text and photos by Liz Holden 2013