Polypores in the parks and forests of the City of Helsinki

Abstract

The polypores of the Helsinki municipal area in South Finland were studied with regard to their microdistributions, host relationships, abundances and economic importance. Altogether 120 species are reported. Five site types were defined, ranging from urban to rural environments: parks proper, tree rows, park forests, forests proper and idle land areas. Distinct differences were found in the species composi ti ons of urban environments (parks proper and tree rows), as compared with more natural wooded areas (park forests and forests proper). Po lypores which prefer urban growth sites (the centric species) are southern in

The phylogenetic position of Postia s.l. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from Patagonia, Argentina

“…For a discussion on this nomenclatural issue see Donk (1960), Larsen and Lombard (1986) and Walker (1996), who support the use of Postia, and Ryvarden (1991), who supports the use of Oligoporus. The exception between these positions is the one adopted by Erkkilä and Niemelä (1986) and Renvall (1992), who proposed the use of both names: Postia for taxa with thin-walled basidiospores and Oligoporus for taxa having broadly ellipsoid to short cylindrical basidiospores with thickened, cyanophilous walls, and which have a tendency to form chlamydospores in nature and/or culture.…”

Phellinus species on Betula. Mating tests, RFLP analysis of enzymatically amplified rDNA, and relations to Phellinus alni

“…Parm. In Fennoscandia, Betula is cited as the main host of P. igniarius (Eriksson 1958;Niemela 1975;Niemela & Kotiranta 1982;Erkkila & Niemela 1986;Renvall et al 1991); besides , the taxon is found on Salix and numerous other trees . As well, in the eastern part of Europe and the territory of the former USSR Betula is reported as common host (Bondartsev 1953 ;Domanski et al 1973).…”

Polypore survey of Finland 5. The genus Polyporus

“…squamasus remain relatively safe even if the fungus has decayed them for decades. The "park ecotype" is common chiefly in old downtown parks of Helsinki (Erkkila & Niemela 1986) and Turku, and its distribution does not show any dependence on lakes, rivers or other waters. Erkkila and Niemela (1986) suggested that this "park ecotype" might be a neophyte in Finland, originating from Central Europe and being established only in parks in the north.…”

“…The "park ecotype" is common chiefly in old downtown parks of Helsinki (Erkkila & Niemela 1986) and Turku, and its distribution does not show any dependence on lakes, rivers or other waters. Erkkila and Niemela (1986) suggested that this "park ecotype" might be a neophyte in Finland, originating from Central Europe and being established only in parks in the north. Indeed, host trees are often exotic cultivars and, for instance, large Ulmus trees in nature seem to be free of this parasite (P. Uotila pers.…”

“…) There are only two records of this rare species from Finland, both made in the Hemiboreal zone. The better known occurrence (Erkkila & Niemela 1986) is in the University Botanical Garden in downtown Helsinki, amidst a park lawn, on a stump of Acer platanoides. The fungus fruited richly in 1985, 1986 and 1987, and more scanty fruiting has lasted until 1990.…”