Clover crab
| Clover crab | ||||||||||||
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Clover crab |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Sclerotinia trifoliorum | ||||||||||||
| Eriks. |
Clover shrimp ( Sclerotinia trifoliorum ) is a species of fungus from the order of the Helotiales . The species is a phytopathogen , it attacks species of the genus Klee ( Trifolium ) but also other legumes (Fabaceae).
description
The brown fruiting bodies ( apothecium ) arise individually from a blackish sclerotium . They are more or less bowl-shaped and have long stalks. The fruit bodies have a diameter of about 8 millimeters. The ascospores are ellipsoid, 12 to 18 micrometers long and 6 to 10 micrometers wide. The mycelium is white.
distribution
The species is found at the base of the stem axis (but not at the roots) of plants of the genus Klee ( Trifolium ) but also other legumes (Fabaceae). It is widespread worldwide and is perceived in Europe as wintering , especially in snowy areas .
ecology
In late winter and early spring, the stems of the infected plants begin to rot . The plants turn black and begin to die. They become coated with white mycelium, which groups into sclerotia and then turns black. The mycelium can also crawl over damp soil and infect other plants.
literature
- Werner Rothmaler : Excursion flora for Germany . Volume 1: Lower Plants, 3rd edition. Fischer, Jena 1994. ISBN 3-334-60827-1 , p. 281
