Terana-caerulea_1

Description:

Terana caerulea, syn.: Pulcherricium caeruleumCobalt Crust, DE: Blauer RindenpilzSlo.:modri krasotecDat.: Oct. 21. 2013Lat.: 46.36027 Long.: 13.70291Code: Bot_765/2013_DSC8950Habitat: Young mixed forest, Picea abies, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus ornus, Prunus avium, Corylus avellana, former pasture; almost flat terrain, calcareous ground, in shade, humid place, partly protected from direct rain by tree canopies, average precipitations ~ 3.000 mm/year, average temperature 7-9 deg C, elevation 600 m (2.000feet), alpine phytogeographical region.Substratum: underside of a dead branch of Fagus sylvatica laying on ground; growing on bark, on the inner side of almost fallen off bark as well as directly on debarked wood.Place: Lower Trenta valley, east of cottage Trenta 2b, right bank of river Soa, East Julian Alps, Posoje, Slovenia EC Comments: Terana caerulea (some sources write it T. coerulea?) is a fascinating fungus! Easy to recognize by its unmistakably, iridescent and saturated bluish color. Growing in several patches along 50 cm length of the branch. Patches up to 4 cm wide. Flesh rubbery, quite strong and firmly attached to the substrate. SP very faint, whitish?, accurate color undistinguishable.Spores smooth. Dimensions: 8.6 (SD= 0.6) x 5.1 (SD= 0.3) , Q= 1.68 (SD= 0.09), n= 30. 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 LJFRef.:(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.