Morphological and molecular analyses reveal five new species of Hydnellum (Bankeraceae, Thelephorales) from the Changbai Mountains and Dabie Mountains, China

This study describes five new Hydnellum ( Bankeraceae , Thelephorales ) species— H. aureomarginatum , H. coalescens , H. flavomarginatum , H. imbricatum , and H. jianense —collected from northeastern and central China, based on integrated morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses. Morphologically, H. aureomarginatum is characterized by a circular, depressed pileus that bears a golden-yellow zone on its inner margin, with the outermost edge of the pileus remaining white. Hydnellum coalescens is characterized by stipes of multiple basidiocarps that are fused or connate (forming a compound or interconnected basidiome) and a pileus covered with brown scales. Hydnellum flavomarginatum is characterized by a golden-yellow pileus margin and relatively large basidiospores. Hydnellum imbricatum is characterized by layered imbricate scales on the pileus and relatively long basidiospores. Hydnellum jianense is characterized by a plano-convex pileus covered with grayish-orange tomentum (which turns light brown when touched) and relatively small basidiospores. This study also compiles statistics on the main morphological characteristics, species distribution, and host information of the Hydnellum in China, deepening the understanding of the species diversity and distribution patterns of this genus.