STUDIES OF CANADIAN THELEPHORACEAE: VIII. CORTICIUM GALACTINUM (FR.) BURT

Abstract

During the course of an investigation into the decays of white pine in certain regions of Ontario it was found that the fungus, Corticium galactinum (Fr.) Burt, was important as an organism destroying considerable woody material in the roots and butts of living trees. Because of the increasing interest in this species, the early history and the literature concerning the pathogenicity on roots of apple-trees as well as other hardwood and coniferous species has been reviewed. A revised description, based on the study of a portion of the type specimen from the Fries herbarium and a comparison with specimens from apple and coniferous species, is presented. The taxonomy and relationships of C. galactinum are discussed. Detailed comparison is made with C. odoratum (Fr.) B. & G. and a description of that species is included. Cultural studies show that C. galactinum is heterothallic and of the tetrapolar type of interfertility and may possess multiple allelomorphs at the loci responsible for heterothallism002E