Stropharia rugosoannulata |
Found in April growing from wood debris (sticks, logging chips, mulch) accumulated along a creek bed. Spore print: Purple-brown. |
The purple-brown spores of Stropharia rugosoannulata. |
These spiny cells (called acanthocytes) are mainly associated with the mycelial threads that can be found at the mushrooms base (see middle photo at top). These cells may protect the mycelium from microfauna. It has been shown that acanthocytes have the ability to kill nematodes (microscopic worms). |
See also Acanthocytes of Stropharia rugosoannulata Function as a Nematode-Attacking Device by Hong Luo, et. al., 2006. |