BioImages: The Virtual Field-Guide (UK)
Armillaria mellea s.l. (honey fungi)
| Notes (MWS) | An aggregate of species some of which are thought to be serious parasites which cause the death of their host tree while others are saprobic or even mycorrhizal species. The component species require culturing to distinguish. |
| Lab. techniques | Confirmation of the common Honey Fungus, Armillaria mellea, requires microscopic examination to check that there are no clamp connections at the base of the basidia. Congo Red in dilute ammonia is a suitable mountant. Place a tiny fragment of gill in the Congo Red, apply the cover slip and gently press with the end of a pencil. Leave for a few minutes to stain and soften, then, ideally, run in water (or dilute ammonia) before squashing again, harder this time, until the tissue breaks up and the basidia separate. (Take care as splashes of Congo Red will permanently stain clothing.) Examine under at least x40 objective. |
Records (and photo sets)
| Taxon | Summary | Date | Vice-county | Country |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armillaria mellea s.l. | Fruitbody | 2 November 1975 | Surrey | England | 2 |
| Armillaria mellea s.l. | Fruitbody | 27 December 1971 | East Sussex | England | 1 |
| Armillaria mellea s.l. | Fruitbody | 6 November 1971 | East Norfolk | England | 2 |
Subtaxa
| Rank | Taxon | |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Armillaria borealis Marxm. & Korhonen, 1982 (a honey fungus) | 8 | ||
| Species | Armillaria gallica Marxm. & Romagn., 1987 (Bulbous Honey Fungus) | 2 | 12 | |
| Species | Armillaria mellea (Vahl) P. Kumm., 1871 (Honey Fungus) | 22 | 15 | 9 |
| Species | Armillaria ostoyae (Romagn.) Herink, 1973 (Dark Honey Fungus) | 6 | 4 |
Suggested Literature
Identification Works
| West, J.S., Hughes, C. & Fox, R.T.V., 2000 | Armillaria mellea can infect the perennial weed, Rumex obtusifolius, in the UK |
Armillaria mellea s.l. may also be covered by literature listed under:
Feeding and other inter-species relationships
Armillaria mellea s.l. is associated with:
 |
Chamerion angustifolium - Rosebay Willowherb (Onagraceae) | infects and damages | West, J.S., Hughes, C. & Fox, R.T.V., 2000 | ||
|
Rumex - docks (Polygonaceae) | infects and damages | 
|
West, J.S., Hughes, C. & Fox, R.T.V., 2000 | |
|
Rubus - brambles (Rosaceae) | infects and damages |
|
West, J.S., Hughes, C. & Fox, R.T.V., 2000 |
Associated with Armillaria mellea s.l.:
|
is associate of superficial, closely packed in large clusters perithecium | Lasiosphaeria spermoides - a pyrenomycete (Sordariales: Lasiosphaeriaceae) | Ellis, M.B. & J.P., 1997 | ||
| basidiome (decaying) | decaying basidiome is decayed by sclerotium | Collybia cookei - Splitpea Shanklet (Agaricales: Tricholomataceae) | Legon, N.W. & Henrici, A. with Roberts, P.J., Spooner, B.M. & Watling, R., 2005 | ||
| basidiome (mummified) | mummified basidiome is decayed by sclerotium | Collybia cookei - Splitpea Shanklet (Agaricales: Tricholomataceae) | Legon, N.W. & Henrici, A. with Roberts, P.J., Spooner, B.M. & Watling, R., 2005 | ||
|
rhizomorph | rhizomorph is associate of superficial perithecium | Lasiosphaeria ovina - a pyrenomycete (Sordariales: Lasiosphaeriaceae) | Ellis, M.B. & J.P., 1997 [frequently found near] |
Armillaria mellea s.l. may be associated with more taxa listed at higher taxonomic level
|
MYCETEAE (fungi, moulds and lichens) |
BASIDIOMYCETES (spore droppers) |
AGARICALES (mushrooms and toadstools) |
References
| Ellis, M.B. & J.P., 1997 | Microfungi on Land Plants: An Identification Handbook |
| Legon, N.W. & Henrici, A. with Roberts, P.J., Spooner, B.M. & Watling, R., 2005 | Checklist of the British and Irish Basidiomycota |
| West, J.S., Hughes, C. & Fox, R.T.V., 2000 | Armillaria mellea can infect the perennial weed, Rumex obtusifolius, in the UK |
