Thelephora terrestris

Thelephora terrestris, commonly known as the common fiber vase^[2] or earthfan fungus^[3] is an inedible species of fungus in the Basidiomycota phylum.^[4]

This fungus was first described by Jakob Friedrich Ehrhart in 1787.^[5][6]

Thelephora terrestris is present year round, though is mostly seen July to December.^[2] As the basidiome forms, it starts off lighter in colour then turns to a darker shade of brown as it ages.^[7] A stipe may not be present, if there is one, it is usually very short.^[2] Sometimes the fungus is grown in large colonies.^[8] The shape is described as a fan and can grow up to 6 centimetres (2+1⁄4 in) wide.^[8] It has been described to have a moldy earth-like smell.^[2]

The hyphae of mycorrhizal forms walls that becomes thicker as it ages, while in earlier stages may be spiney.^[9] When mating, the hyphae forms clamp connections^[7] The spores are purple-brown colour,^[2] ellipsoid or angular shape.^[8]

The edibility of this fungus is unknown, but it is considered too tough to be worthwhile.^[10]

Thelephora palmata is comparatively stinky and less widely distributed.^[10][11] T. vialis is more robust; Cotylidia diaphana and Podoscypha petalodes are similar; Hydnellum can appear similar but has teeth below.^[12]

Throughout North America^[2] and Europe^[6] Thelephora terrestris can be found in soil. It is commonly found in sandy soils under pine trees, on roots^[2] and twigs.^[8]

This ectomycorrhizal fungus forms a symbiotic relationship known as mycorrhizae, especially with Pinus species.^[7] It is commonly found in pine forests^[13] as well as plant nursery soils world wide.^[14] This fungus is known to get water and nutrients from far away^[15] and being capable of growing in both low fertility and high fertility soils.^[3]

It is a dominant mycorrhizal fungus,^[14] re-establishes quickly after disturbances such as forest fire, and is considered stress tolerant.^[16]

Outside of the Pinus genus, it is also capable of forming mycorrizha with other trees such as alder, birch, oak, beech, and poplar.^[3]

Thelephora terrestris virus 1 (TtV1), which is a mycovirus, can infect this fungus.^[3]

The full life cycle can be reproduced and studied in a laboratory, both ectomycorrhizal form and mushroom form.^[17]

Due to the mycotoxins that the fungi produces, it protects pinus trees from root pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi.^[14]