Helicobasidium purpureum

Helicobasidium purpureum on birch

The Violet Schneckenbasidie ​​( Helicobasidium purpureum, Syn: Helicobasidium brebissonii ) is a species of fungus in the family of the Tremellomycetes ear lobe fungal relatives ( Auriculariaceae ). The fruiting bodies of the nearly world-wide spread type are pinkish-purple, tomentose to membranous and resupinat. The fungus grows parasitically on the trunks, roots and bark of trees, herbs and shrubs, especially near ground level. The Violet Schneckenbasidie ​​fruktifiziert in spring and autumn. Known in agriculture as Violet root Slayer, he aimed primarily at the growing of sugar beet, carrot, alfalfa and potatoes of damage.

Features

Macroscopic characteristics

The fruiting bodies of the Violet Schneckenbadidie appears as felted or membranous carpet on the surface of their hosts. The hymenium is pink - violet violet-brown to tomentose and frosted, it has no rhizomorphs on. The fruit layer can often cover the entire surface of the host.

Microscopic characteristics

The hyphae of the type cylindric and not equipped with buckles. Two-to four-cell Protobasidien form at their ends. The basidia are walking stick or helical curved. The thin-walled, smooth and inamyloiden spores of the Violet Schneckenbasidie ​​are ellipsoidal and reach a size of 9-12.5 × 5-6.5 microns. The hyphae of the Subcuticulums are bright purple and almost hyaline.

Dissemination

The Violet Schneckenbasidie ​​is nearly cosmopolitan, that is found in many parts of the world. From New Zealand and Australia it comes to Asia and in the Holarctic region, East Africa and the Neotropics before. In the Holarctic they preferred the meridional and temperate to boreal zone. In Europe, the species is widespread sub-Mediterranean and sub-oceanic - oceanic especially.

Ecology

Violette Schneckenbasidien grow saprobiontisch and parasitically on flowering plants, especially at the stumps, roots and bark of trees, shrubs and herbs. In the German Baden- Württemberg they prefer ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) As a substrate.

Importance

Especially in the cultivation of sugar beet, carrot, alfalfa and potatoes, the Violet root killer, as he is known in the agricultural cultivation, be important. He prefers weedy wet soils in warmer areas. As a measure crop rotation with cereals is recommended.

Swell

• German Krieglsteiner J. (eds. ): The Great Mushrooms of Baden-Württemberg. Volume 1: General section. Mushroom Fungi: jelly, bark, sting and pore mushrooms. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-8001-3528-0.