Biscogniauxia nummularia is a plant pathogen in the family Graphostromataceae, known as the beech tarcrust.[1] The specific epithet is derived from the Latin "nummus" meaning a coin, referring to the often rounded and coin-like encrustations.
| Biscogniauxia nummularia | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Sordariomycetes |
| Order: | Xylariales |
| Family: | Graphostromataceae |
| Genus: | Biscogniauxia |
| Species: | B. nummularia
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| Binomial name | |
| Biscogniauxia nummularia | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
editThe fruit body forms a thick and shiny black crust, on beech (Fagus) bark and is found at all times of the year. It is not edible.[1] Young specimens are covered by a light brown outer layer. The spores are black to dark brown.
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Detail of the tarcrust's structure -
Beech tarcrust growth -
Encrustations on beech bark
Distribution
editBiscogniauxia nummularia is a common pathogen specific for Beech trees, and has been recorded throughout Europe and Russia.[2]
Environmental impact
editThe decline of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) in Sicily and Calabria (Italy) has been linked to B. nummularia and experiments have suggested that this ascomycete plays a primary pathogenic role under certain environmental conditions.[3] It typically causes strip-cankering and general wood decay.[4]
References
editNotes
edit- ^ a b Phillips, Page 376
- ^ B. nummularia : Accessed : 2010-03-19
- ^ Forest Pathology : Accessed : 2010-03-19
- ^ "Biomed Experts : Accessed : 2010-03-19". Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
Sources
edit- Phillips, Roger (2006). Mushrooms. London : Pan MacMillan. ISBN 0-330-44237-6