200 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



Fig. 43. Black Mould, Mucor rhizopodiformis. 

 Branched conidiophores, large columella and discharged 

 spores around the same. After I^chtheim. 



Mucor Tricliisi, Lucet and Costantin 



This differs from M. corymbifer in a few characteristics of sufficient im- 

 portance to cause Lucet and Costantin to consider it a distinct species, M. 

 Tricliisi having larger spores which are 4 M in diameter and sporangia 35 M 

 in diameter. It was isolated from epidermal scabs appearing on a horse affected 

 with tinea, produced by Trichophyton minimum. The M. Rcgnieri described 

 by the same authors is similar to the preceding. 



Mucor rhizopodiformis, F. Cohn 



Mycelium at first snow-white then gray, conidiophore single or clustered, 

 brownish, 125 M long, small rhizoid processes, columella broad, constricted at 

 the base ; sporangia spherical, at maturity blackish, spores spherical colorless, 

 5-6 fj. in diameter. Closely allied to M. stolonifer or M. inaequalis. 



Distribution. Not uncommon on bread in Europe. 



Pathogenic properties. Pathogenic like the preceding. When introduced 

 into the circulation of guinea pigs it produces inflammation and the tissues of 

 the spleen, liver and intestines are found to contain the mycelium of the fungus. 

 The animal becomes inactive, lies on its side and drops its head. Small masses 

 of the mycelium may be found in the kidneys. 



Mucor pusillus, Lindt. 



Mycelium spreading, with numerous chlamydospores which are capable of 

 germination ; conidiophores generally branched ; sporangia spherical, brownish, 

 30-40 /" in diameter; spores ellipsoidal or spherical, 5-8 M long, 3-5 n in diameter; 

 columella pear-shaped ; zygospores seldom produced, spherical, 70-84 M in dia- 

 meter, roughened, chlamydospores abundantly produced: species capable of 

 changing cane sugar into invert sugar, producing the ferment invertase. 



Distribution, and hosts. Widely distributed in both Europe and North 

 America, occurring on various decaying objects. 



