Thelephora terrestris

This fungus was first described by Jakob Friedrich Ehrhart.[4]

Throughout North America[2] and Europe[4] Thelephora terrestris can be found in soil. It is commonly found in sandy soils under pine trees, on roots[2] and twigs.[5]

As this ectomycorrhizal fungi forms a symbiotic relationship with the pinus species, it forms mycorrihizae.[6] It is commonly found in pine forests[7] as well as plant nursery soils world wide.[8] This fungi is known to get water and nutrients from far away[9] and being capable of growing in both low; fertile and high fertile soils.[3]

After a disturbance such as a forest fire, will re-establish quickly and is considered stress tolerant,[10] as well it is a dominant mycorrhizal fungus.[8]

Outside of the pinus species, 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 fungi.[3]

Thelephora terrestris is present year round, though is mostly seen July to December.[2] As the fruiting body forms, it starts off lighter in colour then turns to a darker shade of brown as it ages.[6] A stalk may not be present, if there is one, it is usually very short.[2] Sometimes the fungi is grown in large colonies.[5] The shape is described as a fan and can grow up to 6cm wide.[5] 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.[11] When mating, the hyphae forms clamp connections[6] The spores are purple-brown colour,[2] ellipsoid or angular shape.[5]

The full life cycle can be reproduced and studied in a laboratory, both ectomycorrhizal form and mushroom form.[12]

Due to the mycotoxins that the fungi produces, it protects pinus trees from root pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi.[8]