tyson_ehlers's Identifications

RD00819

Growing in high elevation subalpine forest. Several nivicolous species found in the same area.

Sessile, less than 1mm wide by 4mm long plasmodiocarps (or connected smaller plasmodiocarps).

Peridium black, iridescent, appears to have some calcium slivers under 1000x oil immersion.

No columella observed.

Capillitium dense branched net, curved, thick with large dark expansions at joints with almost reticulate appearance on some, numerous small nodes or cogs.

Spores ovoid, 13.8-16.7um, dense spines up to 0.8um.

On live Vaccinium near melting snow right around the tree line.

Sporocarps: Sessile except for one smaller sporocarp that seems to have a stipe (Photo 5). ≈0.75-1.5 mm.

Peridium: Metallic silvery-blue, reflects various other colours.

Hypothallus: Inconspicuous, dark with hints of red.

Columella: Reaches to ≈1/3 the height of the sporotheca.

Capillitium: Dark with hints of red, lightening abruptly near periphery, free ends completely white. Threads branch and conjoin. Seem to come from the length of columella. Show irregular, uncommon nodes of various shapes and sizes.

Spores: Globose, brown, showing minute, densely clustered warts (Not really visible in photos).

@tyson_ehlers @trientalid Here it is with the microscopy. I'm thinking L. splendidissimum mainly because of the nodes in the capillitium, but basically everything else seems to line up as well. The only thing that doesn't line up is the capillitium radiating from the length of the columella, but it was a bit obscured, so I may be mistaken. I figured I wouldn't bother sacrificing another sporocarp to confirm unless it comes up that I need to.

Same individual: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/228532088