Wright J.E. 1987. Bibliotheca Mycologia 113: 101.

Tulostoma excentricum Long (Fig. 48, 47bis; Pls. V: 3-4; XXXVI: 2) Mycologia 36: 332-333, fig. 5. 1944.

= T. desertorum Philimon. & Schwarzm. apud Schwarzmann & Philimonova, F1. Spor. Rast. Kazhastan, VI: Gasteromycetes, p. 212-213, fig. 75, tab. XIII, fig. 7. 1970.

Etym.: the name probable refers to the eccentric position of the mouth.

Spore-sac up to 18 x 13 mm, globose-depressed. Exoperidium hyphal, the threads mingled with sand grains. Endoperidium whitish to ochraceous to light greyish with purplish hues, smooth. Mouthtubular, , prominent, projecting, in some specimens with a sunken peristome. Socket conspicuous, not very separated from the stem. Gleba light ferrugineous. Stem variable, generally concolorous, slightly tapering towards the base (notoriously so in some specimens), up to 70 x 6 mm, in some specimens very thin and dark, squamose, scales like in Battarraea but inverted, with a small volvoid formation at the base.

Spores subglobose to ellipsoid, almost imperceptibly punctate under L.M., but visible with a good oil-immersion lens; some apiculate, 4.6-6.1 µm diam, light brown. Under SEM the ornamentation appears as smalt, uneven verrucae, dispersed or anastomosed in crests, which sometimes form short and uneven rosaries. Capillitium subhyaline, branched, septate; threads very thick-walled and lacunar lumen, swollen at the coloured septa; 2.6-5.4 µm diam.

Habitat: sandy soil.

Distribution: North America: SW United States. Asia: U.S.S.R.: Turkmenskaia SSR, Kazhastan SSR.

Holotype: United States, New Mexico, E of Sandia, Vista Court, Albuquerque, leg. W.H.Long, 20.V1.1941 (Herb. Long n° 9360, BPI!).

Illustration: Long (op. cit.).