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Indian Journal of Plant Sciences ISSN: 2319–3824 (Online)
An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jps.htm
2014 Vol. 3 (2) April -June, pp. 13-18/Das et al.
Research Article
© Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech)
13
STROBILOMYCES POLYPYRAMIS — REDISCOVERY OF A WILD
MUSHROOM FROM SIKKIM, INDIA
*Kanad Das1, M.E. Hembrom2, Arvind Parihar1, Deepa Mishra3 and J.R. Sharma3
1Botanical Survey of India, Cryptogamic Unit, P.O. Botanic Garden, Howrah 711103
2Botanical Survey of India, Central National Herbarium, P.O. Botanic Garden, Howrah 711103
3Botanical Survey of India, Northern Regional Centre, 192, Kaulagarh Road, Dehradun, 248195, India
*Author for Correspondence
ABSTRACT
Strobilomyces polypyramis which was reported earlier from India in 1851 is rediscovered from North
district of Sikkim and described here with its macro- and micromorphological details supported with
illustrations. Its relations with the allied taxa are also discussed.
Keywords: Macrofungi, Boletaceae, Strobilomyces, Sikkim, India, Taxonomy
INTRODUCTION
The taxonomic study of the genus Strobilomyces Berk. (Boletaceae) dates back to Berkeley (1851) who
rendered an invaluable service by working on a number of macrofungi collected by Dr. Hooker from
different parts of India including Sikkim Himalaya. This genus is one of the easily identifiable genera
amongst the boletes. It is characterized as: pileus coarsely fibrillose-squamulose or scaly; scales grey to
black; pore surface white when young, becoming black with maturity; stipe dry, wooly to shaggy or
floccose to villose (completely or partly), partly reticulate or smooth, with or without an annulus, mostly
concolorous to pileus; spore print blackish brown to black; spores globose to broadly ellipsoid with partial
to complete reticulum. At present, this genus is represented by seven species from India, namely,
Strobilomyces montosus Berk. (from Jilla-pahar/Jalapahar of W.B.), S. annulatus Corner (from Kulu,
Manali, H.P.), S. polypyramis Hook. f. (from Jilla-pahar/Jalapahar of W.B.), S. kalimpongensis Bose
(from Kalimpong, W.B.), S. mollis Corner (from Summer-Hill, Kharapahar, Kalatop of H.P.), S.
nigricans Berk. (from Kala-panee/Kalapani, Assam) and S. strobilaceus (Scop.) Berk. (from Sonmarg, J
& K). Morphological characters of Strobilomyces indica Lloyd, reported earlier (Lloyd, 1924) from this
subcontinent does not show sufficient deviation from S. strobilaceus (Murrill, 1924). Hence, in the
present paper it is not considered as a separate taxon and kept under S. strobilaceus. Another species: S.
floccopus (Vahl) P. Karst., reported earlier from this subcontinent (Lakhanpal, 1996) is now considered as
a synonym of S. strobilaceus.
During a recent macrofungal survey to North district of Sikkim (a small Himalayan state in India), the
first author came across a number of ectomycorrhizal macrofungi including specimens of Strobilomyces
which after thorough examination appeared as S. polypyramis which has not been reported after 1851
from this country and hence is a rediscovery after a gap of over 160 years. As the micromorphological
study form holotype deposited in K was not so fruitful because of the bad condition of the exsiccatum
(Horak, 1980) the description after the protologue (Berkeley, 1851) and that of Boedijn (1951) and Horak
(1980) were considered as authentic. Detailed macro- and micromorphological characters coupled with
field and microscopic illustrations are given for the first time from India as well.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Macromorphological characterization was made from the fresh basidiomata. Field photographs of the
fresh basidiomata were taken with the aid of Nikon D300s. Colour codes and terms (mostly) are as in the
Colour identification chart of British Fungus Flora (Henderson et al., 1969) and Methuen Handbook of
Colour (Kornerup and Wanscher, 1978) which are referred in the description as „a‟ and „b‟ successively.
After recording the macromorphological characters, basidiomata were dried in the base camp with a field
drier. Herbarium names are after Holmgren et al., 1990.
Indian Journal of Plant Sciences ISSN: 2319–3824 (Online)
An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jps.htm
2014 Vol. 3 (2) April -June, pp. 13-18/Das et al.
Research Article
© Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech)
14
In the laboratory, macromorphological characters were again observed from the dry samples with the help
of a stereo zoom dissecting microscope Nikon SMZ 1500 and photographs were taken through the
attached dedicated camera. Micromorphological characters were noted with the aid of a light microscope:
Olympus CX 41 based on the dry samples stained in a mixture of 5 % KOH, Phloxin and mounted in 30%
Glycerol. Amyloidy test were done in Melzer‟s reagent. Drawings of all the micromorphological
structures were made with the help of a drawing tube at an original magnification of 1000×. Basidium
length excludes the length of sterigmata. Spore measurements are recorded based on that of twenty
basidiospores. Spores are measured in side view. Spore-measurement and Quotient indicating length-
width ratio (Q = L/W) are presented as minimum–mean–maximum. Scanning Electron Microscope
(SEM) illustrations of basidiospores were obtained from dry spores from spore print that were directly
mounted on a double-sided adhesive tape pasted on a metallic specimen-stub and then scanned with gold
coating at different magnifications in high vacuum mode to observe patterns of spore-ornamentation.
SEM work was carried out with a FEI‟s Quanta FEG 250 model imported from The Netherlands and
installed at the S.N. Bose National Centre for basic Sciences, Kolkata, India.
Taxonomy
A Provisional Key to the Species of Strobilomyces in India
1. Spores dacryoid, up to 7 µm long.……………………………....................................S. kalimpongensis
1a. Spores globose to broadly ellipsoid, more than 7 µm in length…...…………….……………………..2
2. Spores with a complete/uninterrupted reticulum ……………………………….………………...........3
2a. Spores with isolated spinoid warts and/or confluent cylindrical to conic warts and/or ridges to form
echinulate pattern or broken to incomplete reticulum ……………………………….………….................5
3. Pore surface yellow; context brown ………………………………......................................S. montosus
3a. Pore surface white or reddish, finally black after bruising; context white becoming reddish brown to
black on exposure ……………………………………………………………………..……........................4
4. Annulus present ……………………………………………………………...……..…...S. strobilaceus
4a. Annulus absent ………………………………………………………………….....…………...S. mollis
5. Annulus present ……………………………………………………………...............…….S. annulatus
5a. Annulus absent …………………………………………………………...............................................6
6. Spores large, 9.5 – 12 μm, with crest like ornamentation to form mostly incomplete reticulum
………………………………………………………………………………………………...…S. nigricans
6a. Spores comparatively smaller, 8.0 – 10.8 × 7.0 – 10.0 μm, echinulate with isolated or confluent
cylindrical to conic warts ………………………………...………………..………………...S. polypyramis
Strobilomyces polypyramis Hook. f., in Berkeley, Hooker’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 78 (1851).
Figure 1 & 2
Pileus 55 – 105 mm diam., convex when young, becoming broadly convex with maturity (never
becoming flat), surface dry, unpolished, whitish, squamulose, covered with numerous mostly erect, small
conical to pyramidal, pointed or rarely spinoid black scales (10 – 20 mm high); margin mostly incurved to
decurved with irregularly torn cottony flaps of partial veil. Pore surface white (b: 1A1) when young,
slowly becoming grey to black, turning orange to pastel red (b: 7A5), then light brown (b: 7D 4 – 5),
brown (b: 7E5) to fuscous black (a: 36) when bruised; pore angular, 1-2 mm wide (0.4-1mm wide after
drying). Tubes up to 13 mm long, decurrent to sinuate, white, quickly turning light orange (b: 6A5), then
gradually black. Stipe 70 – 80 x 10 – 18 mm, central, nearly equal but distinctly enlarged to bulbous at
base, surface dry, finely reticulate and somewhat floccose at apex, rest is almost smooth except the base
which is villose or wooly (in stereo-zoom microscope), cigar brown (a: 16) at apex, gradually fuscous
black (a: 36); veils and annulus absent. Context solid in stipe, white, quickly becoming light orange (b:
6A5), then sahara (b: 6C5) and finally fuscous black, turning cadmium orange (b: 5A8) to saffron (a: 49)
with KOH, bluish grey with FeSO4. Odour not distinctive. Taste mild. Spore print blackish brown.
Indian Journal of Plant Sciences ISSN: 2319–3824 (Online)
An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jps.htm
2014 Vol. 3 (2) April -June, pp. 13-18/Das et al.
Research Article
© Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech)
15
Figure 1 (A-H): Strobilomyces polypyramis. A- Basidiospores. B - Pleurocystidia. C- Basidia. D -
Cheilocystidia. E - Terminal cells of hyphal elements showing incrustations in zebroid pattern. F -
Caulobasidia. G - Hyphal elements of stipe covering flocci showing incrustations in zebroid pattern.
H - Caulocystidia. Scale bars: A – H = 10 µm
Indian Journal of Plant Sciences ISSN: 2319–3824 (Online)
An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jps.htm
2014 Vol. 3 (2) April -June, pp. 13-18/Das et al.
Research Article
© Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech)
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Figure 2: Strobilomyces sikkimensis (KD12-251). A - Dorsal and ventral view of fresh basidiomata in
the field. B - Pore surface showing the change of colour (after bruising). C- Longitudinal section of
basidiomata showing the exposed context. D - Pores from dry sample. E - Divergent hyphal
arrangement in tube trama; F–G - Encrusted hyphal elements of pileipellis. H - Encrusted hyphal
elements of stipitipellis (stipe covering flocci). I–K - SEM micrographs of basidiospores showing
variable pattern of ornamentations. D Scale bars: D = 1 mm, E = 100 µm, F, H, I = 10 µm, G = 50
µm, J, K = 5 µm
Indian Journal of Plant Sciences ISSN: 2319–3824 (Online)
An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jps.htm
2014 Vol. 3 (2) April -June, pp. 13-18/Das et al.
Research Article
© Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech)
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Basidiospores 8.0 – 9.0 – 10.8 × 7.0 – 8.3 – 10.0 μm, globose to subglobose (Q = 1.02 – 1.08 – 1.14),
ornamentations inamyloid, highly variable, composed of dense isolated cylindric spines or in combination
of isolated and confluent spines/small ridges (series of fused spines) or irregularly arranged warts and
ridges forming echinulate pattern or rarely with broken reticulum; warts and ridges up to 2 μm long; wall
rather thick (0.7 – 0.9 μm thick). Basidia 29 – 36 × 12.5 – 18 μm, clavate, 2 – 4 spored; sterigmata up to
6.5 μm long. Pleurocystidia 44 – 62 × 12 – 17 μm, rather abundant, mostly lanceolate with subfusoid to
appendiculate or lageniform apex; contents partially dense. Cheilocystidia 23 – 58 × 8 – 14 μm abundant,
subcylindric to narrowly clavate or lanceolate with subfusoid to fusoid or rounded to slightly
appendiculate apex, mostly hyaline or with slightly dense content. Tube trama bilateral, divergent; hyphae
6 – 10 μm wide, frequently septate, branched, some with strong brown-grey pigmentation and some
wrinkled. Pileipellis a trichoderm in regular clusters; hyphal element erect to suberect composed of chain
of elongated cells; terminal cell 49 – 110 × 5 – 20 μm, cylindric, subcylindric, subfusiform with rounded,
subcapitate or apendiculate apex, thick-walled (up to 1 μm thick), pale grey-brown in KOH, pink in
phloxin, with pale grey-brown incrustations forming zebroid pattern; subterminal cells also encrusted.
Stipitipellis fertile at apex; stipe covering hairs composed of erect to suberect hyphal elements; terminal
cells globose to ellipsoid, clavate to ampulliform or bullet shaped, with grey-brown incrustations in
zebroid pattern. Caulobasidia (in fertile area) 35 – 45 × 12 – 16 μm, 2 – 4 spored, sterigmata very long
(up to 11 μm). Caulocystidia 44 – 63 × 13 – 22 μm, subcylindric, subventricose to subclavate, mostly
hyaline. Stipe trama composed of subparallel to interwoven hyphae.
Distribution: India, Indonesia, Java
Specimen examined: India. Sikkim, North district: Lachen top, 2846 m, N27°43ʹ37.0ʺ E88°32ʹ47.2ʺ, 3
Sept. 2012, K. Das, KD12-251 (CAL 1135).
Habitat: Ground, under Tsuga dumosa (D. Don) Eichler, in subalpine mixed forest (broad-leaved and
coniferous).
Notes: Distinct macromorphological features like squamulose pileus with black conic to pyramidal or
pointed scales, pileus-margin with irregularly torn cottony flap of partial veil, white (turning black when
bruised) pore surface, angular pores, partly floccose-reticulate stipe with bulbous base, absence of
annulus, blackish brown spore print, globose to subglobose smaller (8.0 – 10.8 × 7.0 – 10.0 μm) spores
with ornamentations of isolated spines or in combination of isolated spines, fused spines and small ridges
forming at the most a broken reticulum place the present taxon under Strobilomyces polypyramis.
Other existing species of Strobilomyces reported from India appear to be close to S. polypyramis. But,
both S. annulatus, S. strobilaceus (= S. floccopus) can be separated from the present species by the
presence of annulus. Moreover, S. annulatus has completely floccose to squamulose stipe and larger [10 –
13.5(14) × 8.5 – 11.5 µm] spores (Lakhanpal, 1996) whereas, S. strobilaceus has spores with complete
reticulum (Lakhanpal, 1996). S. nigricans probably the closest ally of S. polypyramis also has distinctly
larger spores (“9.5 – 12 µm”) with reticulate ornamentations (Berkeley, 1852; Horak, 1980). S. montosus
has yellow pores, scaly dark brown stipe, spores with complete reticulum and is reported to grow on
rotten wood (Horak, 1980). S. mollis shows spores with reticulum (never with spinoid warts) and
ectomycorrhizal association with Quercus (Lakhanpal, 1996). S. kalimpongensis, can be separated from S.
polypyramis by distinctly smaller spores (6 – 7 × 5 – 5.5 µm) and the habitat i.e. deadwood (Bose, 1946).
Strobilomyces confusus Singer reported from North America also resembles the present species. But, the
earlier one is distinct by its annulus and larger spores (10.5 – 12.5 × 9.5 – 10.5 µm) (Bessette et al.,
2010).
Furthermore, mophological features of the collected materials from Sikkim agree completely with the
description of S. polypyramis mentioned by earlier workers based on the collections made from the Asian
countries (Berkley, 1851; Horak, 1980).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors are grateful to the Director, Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Kolkata and to the entire forest
department, Govt. of Sikkim for facilitating the studies on wild mushrooms of Sikkim. One of us (KD) is
Indian Journal of Plant Sciences ISSN: 2319–3824 (Online)
An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jps.htm
2014 Vol. 3 (2) April -June, pp. 13-18/Das et al.
Research Article
© Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech)
18
thankful to A.B. De (W.B., India) and Alfredo Vizzini (Italy) for providing some valuable literature. Help
rendered by S. Pradhan, R. Giri, P. Tamang of BSI, Gangtok to KD in the field is duly acknowledged.
S.N. Das (SNBNCBS, Kolkata) assisted KD to obtain the SEM micrographs of basidiospores.
REFERENCES
Berkeley MJ (1851). Decades of Fungi, decade XXXIV: Sikkim-Himalayan fungi collected by Dr.
Hooker. Hooker’s Journal of Botany 3 77 – 84.
BerkeleyMJ (1852). Decades of Fungi, decade XXXIX, XL: Sikkim and Khassya Fungi. Hooker’s
Journal of Botany 4 130 – 142.
Bessette AE, Roody WC and Bessette AR (2010). North American Boletes (Syracuse University Press,
USA).
Boedijn KB (1951). Some mycological notes. Sydowia, Annales Mycologici Ser. II 5(3 – 6) 211-229.
Bose SR (1946). Polyporaceae of Bengal, Part XI. J. Dep. Sci., Calcutta University 2 53 – 87.
Henderson DM, Orton PD and Watling R (1969). British Fungus Flora: Agarics and Boleti: Colour
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Holmgren PK, Holmgren NH and Barnett LC (1990). Index Herbariorum: Herbaria of the World
(Part 1) 86th edition (USA, Bronx: New York Botanical Garden).
Horak E (1980). Indian Boletales and Agaricales, revisions and new taxa. Sydowia 33 80-110.
Kornerup A and Wanscher JH (1978). Methuen Handbook of Colour 3rd edition (UK, London, Eyre
Methuen Ltd. Reprint).
Lakhanpal TN (1996). Mushrooms of India, Boletaceae (A.P.H. Publishing Corporation, New Delhi,
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