Ramaria Possibly Ramaria abietina or Ramaria rasilispora

Posted by Elmer 12/08/12 -- - - - Scroll Down for more images

Elmer: This appears to be Ramaria rasilispora -
at least that is where the key leads me with some guessing.
However, an image with an OMS number on Mushroom Observer appears similar but has a different name.
Any suggestions as to species would be appreciated. Is it rasilispora?
Dick B: There are a number or Ramaria that look somewhat similar to R. rasilispora.
We would need to know the spore size which I can't tell from the markings on your spore images.
Perhaps you could enlighten me on what they mean. Then we would need to know the color reaction to Melzer's on the flesh of the base. Lastly and often most difficult we would need to know if there were clamps. In the spring there are fewer species of Ramaria and you can make a educated guess about Ramaria but in the fall there are many more species.
You can call it rasilispora if you want, not many people will argue with you

Elmer: Thanks for your note.
As to the markings on the images of the spores.
That was an attempt to use a program that came with my microscope to make measurements.
I have a graduated eyepiece and the spores are 4 to 5 microns by 7 to 8 microns.
The markings on the image are because the program gives size in pixels
and I need correlate that to size in microns which
I have not exactly learned how to do.
As to clamps, I need learn how to exam them --
I'm working on learning to use the microscope and some day I will make progress.
Thanks again.

Dick B: I don't find any reference to any Ramaria species with the combination of spore length
and width that you measured.
It might be interesting to take a look at it if you still have it.-

Elmer: The specimen is now in bad shape.
I did go back in my log and I see that the spore measurements that I made were
5 by 7
5 by 7,5
4 by 8
4 by 6
3,5 by 6
4 by 6
Hence, I really should have said that the spores were
3.5 to 5 by 6 to 8
The length is definitely shorter than all all those given in Arora for Ramaria,
with the exception of R. abietina.
Arora gives the spore size of R. abietina as 5.5 to 8 by 3 to 4.5
which almost fits the range of what I have.
I also note that Arora says R. abietina has "white mycelia threads at the base".
My specimen definitely had that (however, it is not shown in the photos).
Dick B: You raised a good point which I totally ignored.
There are several small Ramaria that are non-mycorrhizal that can be found growing
in the duff and from wood or woody debris.
These will usually be found with mycelial threads extending into the growing substrate.
A few have spores in the size range you measured.
However these usually have ornamentation in the form of spines or at least raised areas.
Often this is more easily observed by using a reagent such as cotton blue.
Don: The photos fail to demonstrate the large firm fleshy base of R. rasilispora,
which I've found to be helpful in identification.

Note: What I have appears similar to image called Ramaria araiospora on Mushroom Observer;
however Ramaria araiospora should be RED.
Note the image on mushroom observers has an OMS number OMS-121021-000.
Any idea as to species