Image of Terana caerulea

Description:

Slo.: modri krasotec - syn.: Pulcherricium caeruleum (Lam.:Fr.) Parm., Thelephora caerulea Fr. - Habitat: Corylus avellana thickets; former pasture; modestly inclined mountain slope; southeast aspect, locally almost flat terrain; shallow, calcareous ground; in shade, relatively warm place; partly protected from direct rain by bush canopies, average precipitations ~ 3.000 mm/year, average temperature 7-9 deg C, elevation 575 m (1.880 feet), alpine phytogeographical region. Substratum: partly debarked, dead branches of Corylus avellana from 2 to 6 cm in diameter, still standing; fungus growing on bark as well as on debarked wood. Comments: Terana caerulea is a fascinatingly colored fungus! Its iridescent cobalt blue color is an unmistakable trait for determination. However, it displays fully saturated colors only relatively short time, or better, only under certain environmental and/or development stage condition. Often, and particularly when dry, it looks much less attractive and more or less blackish with deep blue tint. The fungus is known from all continents and all European countries, but with prevalent southern distribution, it is very rare in boreal areas. It is apparently more and more frequently fund in northern regions due to warming of global climate (Ref.: 4). Fungus was growing on two thicker and one thin dead branch. The largest patch of its basidiome measured about 4.5 cm in width and about 1.5 m in length; flesh waxy-rubbery when moist and young; basidiome is quite strong and firmly attached to the substratum; SP faint, whitish-beige, aoac7. Spores dimensions: 7,5 [8,7 ; 9,1] 10,2 x 4,8 [5,4 ; 5,7] 6,3 microns; Q = 1,4 [1,6 ; 1,7] 1,9; N = 35; C = 95%; Me = 8,9 x 5,5 microns; Qe = 1,6. Olympus CH20, NEA 100x/1.25, magnification 1.000 x, oil, in water. AmScope MA500 digital camera. Herbarium: Mycotheca and lichen herbarium (LJU-Li) of Slovenian Forestry Institute, Vena pot 2, Ljubljana, Index Herbariorum LJF Ref.: (1) A. Bernicchia, S.P. Gorjon, Cortitiaceaes, Fungi Europaei Vol.12., Edizioni Candusso (2010), pp 650. (2) S. Buczacki, Collins Fungi Guide, Collins (2012), p 530. (3) M. Bon, Parey's Buch der Pilze, Kosmos (2005), p 322. (4) G.J. Krieglsteiner (Hrsg.), Die Grosspilze Baden-Wrttembergs, Band 1, Ulmer (2000), p 342.