Morchella deqinensis

The species was reported as new to science in 2006 by Shu-Hong Li and colleagues from the Yunnan Agricultural University. The specific epithet deqinensis refers to Dêqên County in Yunnan, where the type specimen was collected.[1]

Fruit bodies are 5.2 to 9.5 cm (2.0 to 3.7 in) tall; of this, the egg-shaped to broadly conical cap is 2.3 to 4.3 cm (0.9 to 1.7 in) wide by 1.8 to 3.2 cm (0.71 to 1.26 in) tall. Its surface features sparse, vertically arranged ridges that are dark greenish-brown in colour. The intersection of vertical and horizontal ridges form irregularly shaped, cream-coloured pits that are generally two or three times as long as they are wide. The flesh is firm and thin, and lacks any distinct odour or taste. The cap is completely attached to the hollow, conical stipe, which measures 2.6–5.8 cm (1.0–2.3 in) long by 0.8–3 cm (0.31–1.18 in) wide. Initially whitish, it becomes rust-coloured in maturity or after drying. White granules are present at the top of the stipe and in the grooves at the base.[1]

The hymenium (fertile, spore-bearing surface) is 6–10 µm thick. Asci (spore-bearing cells) are cylindrical, eight-spored, hyaline (translucent) and measure 9.9–10.5 µm thick by 105–150 µm long. In deposit, the spores are cream coloured. Spores are ellipsoid to egg-shaped, smooth, hyaline, and have dimensions of 6.4–8.1 by 9.2–9.6 µm. They are thin walled and lack oil droplets. Paraphyses are club shaped with a septum at the base, and measure 3.6–4.5 by 43 µm.[1]

Morchella deqinensis is known only from China, where it fruits on the ground in coniferous and mixed forests at an elevation of 2,800–3,200 m (9,200–10,500 ft). The type collection was made in April.[1]

• Morchella deqinensis in Index Fungorum
• Morchella deqinensis in MycoBank.