Microglossum atropurpureum

Microglossum atropurpureum is a species of fungus in the family Leotiaceae. In the UK, it has been given the recommended English name of dark-purple earthtongue. Ascocarps (fruit bodies) are black, often with a purple tint, and are irregularly club-shaped. They occur in soil and resemble earth tongues, but are microscopically distinct. The species was formerly referred to the genus Geoglossum, but is not closely related to the Geoglossomycetes.

Microglossum atropurpureum
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Leotiomycetes
Order: Leotiales
Family: Leotiaceae
Genus: Microglossum
Species:
M. atropurpureum
Binomial name
Microglossum atropurpureum
(Batsch) P.Karst. (1885)
Synonyms
  • Clavaria atropurpurea Batsch (1783)
  • Geoglossum atropurpureum (Batsch) Pers. (1796)
  • Leotia atropurpurea (Batsch) Corda (1842)
  • Thuemenidium atropurpureum (Batsch) Kuntze (1891)
  • Corynetes atropurpureus (Batsch) E.J.Durand (1908)
  • Corynetes robustus E.J.Durand (1908)
  • Microglossum robustum (E.J.Durand) Sacc. & Traverso (1911)
  • Leptoglossum robustum (E.J.Durand) Sacc. & Traverso (1911)

Microglossum atropurpureum is found in eastern North America and Europe, where it is typical of waxcap grasslands, a declining habitat due to changing agricultural practices. As a result, the species is of global conservation concern and is listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

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