Handkea | |
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Handkea utriformis | |
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Genus: | Handkea Kreisel
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Type species | |
Handkea utriformis (Bull.) Kreisel
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Handkea is a genus of puffball mushrooms in the family Agaricaceae. In 1989, German mycologist Hanns Kreisel described the genus Handkea to include species of Calvatia with distinct microscopic features, including a unique type of capillitium (coarse thick-walled hyphae in the gleba), with curvy slits instead of the usual pores.[1] Although accepted by some authors,[2] the genus concept has been rejected by others.[3][4]
The genus name of Handkea is in honour of Horst-Herbert Handke (1913-2005), who was a German botanist and Professor at the University of Halle.[5]
Phylogenetic analyses published in 2008 shows that Handkea may be grouped in a clade along with species from several other genera, including Lycoperdon, Vascellum, Morganella, Bovistella, and Calvatia.[6]