Aphroditeola is an agaric fungal monotypic genus that produces pink cantharelloid fruit bodies on coniferous forest floors. The lamellae are forked and typically the fruit bodies have a fragrant odor described as candy-like, cinnamon-like or pink bubble gum-like. It contains the one species Aphroditeola olida, which is commonly known as the pink bubblegum mushroom.[1]
In the last century it was classified in Hygrophoropsis, a genus in the Boletales. However, Hygrophoropsis has dextrinoid basidiospores,[2][3] while Aphroditeola lacks these. Phylogenetically Aphroditeola is classified in the Agaricales near the Hygrophoraceae.[4][5] Little is known about its biology except that the type species can be grown in culture from basidiospores and it produces pinkish to reddish-orange mycelium.[6][7] In other literature and web sites, the type species is called by synonymous names Hygrophoropsis morganii or Hygrophoropsis olida or incorrectly labelled Hygrophoropsis rufescens, a misapplied name.[citation needed]
Etymology
The name Aphroditeola is an allusion to Aphrodite Greek goddess because of the combination of pretty pink coloration and perfume-like odor.[8] The specific epithet (olida) is from the Latinolidus, meaning "smelling" or "rank".[citation needed]
In some literature it is known as Hygrophoropsis morganii based on the earlier classification and the incorrect presumption that the type species was named Cantharellus morganii before the name Cantharellus olidus.[7]
References
^Siegel, Noah; Schwarz, Christian (September 1, 2024). Mushrooms of Cascadia: A Comprehensive Guide to Fungi of the Pacific Northwest. Humboldt County, CA: Backcountry Press. p. 47. ISBN9781941624197.
^Binder M, Hibbett DS (2006). "Molecular systematics and biological diversification of Boletales". Mycologia. 98 (6): 971–81. doi:10.3852/mycologia.98.6.971. PMID17486973.
^Lavorati C, Vizzini A, Ge ZW, Contu M (2015). "Redescription of Clitocybe umbrinopurpurascens (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) and revision of Neohygrophorus and Pseudoomphalina". Phytotaxa. 219 (1): 43–57. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.219.1.3.
