Clavaria divergens P. Zhang & Ju. Yan, 2025

Clavaria divergens P. Zhang & Ju. Yan sp. nov.

Figs 2 View Figure 2 , 3 View Figure 3

Etymology.

divergens (Latin) refers to the basidioma with dichotomous to irregularly divergent branches.

Holotype.

China • Yunnan Province: Malipo County, Donggan Town , alt. 1580 m, 23°21'41.98"N, 105°09'44.17"E, 6 August 2018, P. Zhang ( MHHNU 9857 ). GoogleMaps

Diagnosis.

This species differs from other species within Clavaria subg. Syncoryne in its white branched basidiomata and 4 - spored basidia.

Description.

Basidiomata (Fig. 2 a, b View Figure 2 ) branched, brittle, scattered, or gregarious clusters; clusters 10–50 mm high, 10–30 mm broad; branches terete, 1–3 mm wide, 2–4 times, dichotomous, or irregularly divergent in the ultimate rank; branch tips subacuminate, often antler-like or claw-like. Fertile part coralloid, smooth, slightly curved, occasionally with a longitudinal depression in center, white [A 1; White]. Apex white, becoming yellowish or tawny with age. Sterile part distinct, white, smooth, without tomentum and mycelial patch. Flesh concolorous with surface of basidiomata.

Basidiospores (Fig. 3 a View Figure 3 ) [100 / 6 / 4] (4.0) 4.2–5.0 × (2.4) 2.7–3.8 (4.0) μm [Q = (1.25) 1.26–1.56 (1.60), Q = 1.39 ± 0.10], mostly ellipsoid, sometimes also broadly ellipsoid, smooth, hyaline, nonamyloid, thin-walled; hilar appendix small (<1.0 μm in length). Basidia (Fig. 3 b View Figure 3 ) 48–65 × 6.5–9.0 μm, clavate, 4 - spored, hyaline, thin-walled or slightly thick-walled, sometimes with secondarily septated; sterigmata up to 5.2 μm long. Incrustations or crystals absent. Hyphae of the context parallel, thin-walled, hyaline, cylindrical to inflated, secondarily septated. Clamp connections absent in all parts of basidiomata.

Habitat, ecology, and distribution.

Scattered or gregarious in humus layers of soil under mixed coniferous – broadleaved forests or broadleaved forests. Basidiomata produced in summer, usually throughout the months of July to August; known from subtropical zones of Central and Southwestern China.

Additional specimens examined.

China • Hunan Province: Yongshun County, Xiaoxi National Nature Reserve , alt. 1068 m, 28°47'45.84"N, 110°12'13.89"E, 28 August 2014, P. Zhang ( MHHNU 8277 ) GoogleMaps ; • Guzhang County, Gaofeng Town , alt. 573 m, 28°40'45.42"N, 110°08'28.56"E, 23 July 2020, Ju. Yan ( MHHNU 10164 , MHHNU 10165 ) GoogleMaps .