Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Identification

Confusion has surrounded the nomenclature and taxonomy of the genus Armillaria (Fr.:Fr.) Staude for over a century. Until recently, taxonomists have consistently disagreed on the exact description of the genus and its correct name according to the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. This confusion has created uncertainty for taxonomists and plant pathologists, and has hindered the study of this widely distributed and economically important genus of fungi. Based on the analyses of Watling and others (1982), we consider the genus to be a natural grouping, and that Armillaria is the appropriate generic name. This conclusion has been widely accepted since that publication (Antonin 1986, Bérubé and Dessureault 1988, Guillaumin and others 1985, Intini 1988, Marziano and others 1987, Rishbeth 1983, Roll-Hansen 1985, Romagnesi and Marxmuller 1983, Termorshuizen and Arnolds 1987).