A New Species of Descolea (Agaricales) From Western Australia, and Aspects of Its Ectomycorrhizal Status

Descolea maculata sp. nov. is described, illustrated and compared with other species of the genus. A Gondwanaland/Nothofagus origin proposed for the genus is discussed in the light of the Western Australian record. Ectomycorrhizae initiated by D. maculata on roots of Eucalyptus diversicolor and E. marginata, under both aseptic and non-sterile conditions, provide confirmation of the ectomycorrhizal status of the genus Descolea. Cystidia associated with the fungal mantle are similar to those reported for other mycorrhizal fungi of eucalypts.