Description
The very large family Entolomataceae has a cosmopolitan distribution, and species are common in both temperate and tropical climates. Although the shape of the fruiting body and many microscopic characteristics are very diverse, it forms a well-defined group due to the distinctive spores:
- the spore print is pink (or brownish or greyish pink) and
- the spores are ornamented with bumps or ridges, or have a sharp-pointed polygonal cross-section.
The spore ornamentation is formed by a unique form of spore wall thickening, which is called the epicorium.
One notable member is the edible Miller mushroom (Clitopilus prunulus). Many members of the Entolomataceae are poisonous and most are very obscure and difficult to identify properly. Examples are the poisonous type species of Entoloma, Entoloma sinuatum, found in Europe and North America, and E. rhodopolium in Europe and Japan.
Read more about this topic: Entolomataceae
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