erillislupia

Erillislupia is a genus of fungi in the order Agaricales, described from boreal forest habitats in northern Europe. It is characterized by small to medium fruit bodies that are saprotrophic, feeding on decaying plant matter such as conifer needles, wood, and leaf litter. The genus has been distinguished from related groups on the basis of distinct morphological traits and supported by molecular data, though precise familial placement within Agaricales remains under study and may be refined with future phylogenetic work.

Description of the fruit bodies commonly observed in Erillislupia includes caps that range from 2 to 6 cm in diameter, with a convex to umbonate shape and a dry, slightly fibrillose surface that can darken from pale brown to cinnamon as it matures. The gills are adnate to slightly decurrent, and the stem is typically 3 to 7 cm long, matching the cap in coloration and sometimes displaying a pale ring zone where the cap meets the stem. The flesh is firm and white to pale yellow, with a mild to slightly nutty odor. A pale olive to ochre spore print is produced, and microscopic examination reveals ellipsoid to ovoid spores about 6–9 by 4–5 µm, often with small cystidia.

Ecology and distribution: Erillislupia species are primarily saprotrophic, contributing to the decomposition of forest litter and wood in moist, shaded environments. Fruiting occurs from late summer through autumn, frequently after rainfall and humid conditions. Current records document occurrences in northern Europe, with confirmed sightings in Finland, Sweden, and Norway; continued surveys may reveal a broader boreal distribution. Conservation status has not been widely assessed beyond regional field observations.