Book reviews

The genus Pholiota, an important genus in forestry since many species are parasitic on woody plants, has been monographed by the author on the basis of numerous collections from the whole of North-western and Central Europe. After the introductory chapters with extensive information on material and methods, an overview is given of the current state of knowledge on the genus and the characters used for delimitation of taxa. The taxonomic part gives an infrageneric classification, followed by keys to the subgenera and species. All accepted taxa are fully described and illustrated with linedrawings. In addition most species are illustrated in colour with at least one, but in many cases even two photographs. Notes are given on ecology and distribution, and all collections studied are cited per country of origin. The discussions are often elaborate and give much additional information as to the status of the taxon versus related species and interpretations in literature. Five new combinations have been made. The book concludes with a long, annotated list of type studies, excluded and doubtful taxa, and a very comprehensive list of references. Holec’s concept of Pholiota follows in great lines that of Jacobsson (Windahlia 19, 1990) and Noordeloos (Flora agaricina neerlandica, vol. 4,1999) with slight alterations. Kuehneromyces is not included, and also the status of Pholiota albocrenulata, P. oedipus, and P. myosotis is discussed. On species level, a wide species concept is used for example in P. conisans, which includes both forms on wood and on grasses (P. ‘graminis’) The nomenclature of the group of P. aurivella, P. adiposa, and P. cerifera has been adjusted, and follows Noordeloos (l. c.). Within section Spumosa, Holec records besides the known European taxa P. spumosa, P. mixta, and P. highlandensis, a collection of Pholiota brunnescens, originally described from North America, and indicates that more taxa can be expected in this group. The present study is exemplary for how a good monograph should be made: it is very complete and consistent. As such it should be widely used and consulted by everyone working in taxonomy and forestry.