Basidiocarps, annelloconidia, and sclerotia in agar cultures of Pistillaria (Clavariadelphaceae)

Pistillaria micans Fr. and Pistillaria setipes Grev. produced fertile sporophores in agar culture. Light was necessary for production of fertile basidiocarps in both species and for pigment production and conidium formation in P. micans. Annelloconidia were produced by P. micans. Viable sclerotia were formed by P. setipes. The taxonomic significance of sclerotia in Pistillaria and Typhula is discussed. Neither species demonstrated geotropism, but the fruit body of P. setipes was positively phototropic. Temperature optima for growth and sporophore production were ca. 15 °C for P. setipes and ca. 20–22 °C for P. micans.