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Clitocybe subalutacea compared with Clitocybe subcordispora

Taxonomic Classification

Rank
Kingdom same	Fungi (균계)	Fungi (균계)
Phylum same	Basidiomycota (담자균류)	Basidiomycota (담자균류)
Class same	Agaricomycetes (주름버섯강)	Agaricomycetes (주름버섯강)
Order same	Agaricales (주름버섯목)	Agaricales (주름버섯목)
Family same	Tricholomataceae	Tricholomataceae
Genus same	Clitocybe	Clitocybe
Species	Clitocybe subalutacea	Clitocybe subcordispora

Evolutionary Relationship

and share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Clitocybe.

Conservation Status

DD — Data Deficient

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Clitocybe subalutacea is a pale, leather-colored agaric fungus in the family Tricholomataceae found across temperate European woodlands and semi-open habitats. The species epithet subalutacea derives from Latin for 'somewhat leather-colored,' referencing the cap's pale tan to buff coloration distinguishing it from more purely white or grey species in the genus. It fruits in autumn among leaf litter in deciduous and mixed forests, occasionally in grassy woodland clearings, acting as a saprotrophic decomposer of accumulated organic matter. The fruiting body structure is characteristic of Clitocybe: a shallowly depressed to funnel-shaped cap, crowded decurrent gills, and a slender cylindrical stipe. Microscopic spore morphology and chemical reactions assist in confirming identity in this taxonomically complex genus. Like most Clitocybe species, C. subalutacea contributes to decomposer communities in temperate forests, where the collective activity of many fungal species drives litter breakdown and nutrient release, underpinning forest productivity and soil health across European woodland ecosystems.

Clitocybe subcordispora is a saprotrophic agaric fungus in the family Tricholomataceae, with the species epithet subcordispora likely referencing slightly heart-shaped or cordiform spores observed under microscopy, a feature useful in distinguishing it from other pale Clitocybe species. It inhabits temperate European forest floors, woodland margins, and grassy clearings, fruiting in autumn among leaf litter and humus. The fruiting body presents the characteristic Clitocybe form with a depressed to funnel-shaped pale cap, decurrent gills, and cylindrical stipe. Spore morphology is an important taxonomic character within this genus, and the slightly cordiform spore outline of C. subcordispora may reflect adaptation to specific dispersal modes or represent a plesiomorphic character within the clade. The species contributes to saprotrophic fungal diversity in European temperate forests, where dozens of Clitocybe species occupy slightly different ecological niches in the decomposition of leaf litter, woody debris, and soil organic matter, collectively driving the nutrient cycling processes essential to forest ecosystem function.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden