Disciseda verrucosa (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) – a species new to Poland

The genus Disciseda in Poland until now was represented by two species: Disciseda bovista and D. candida. During the mycological investigations on the macromycetes fungi in the xerothermic grasslands of the Nida Basin, a species new for Poland from this genus, namely Disciseda verrucosa, was recorded. The basidiocarps of this species were found in the village Gacki (50°26'41" N, 20°36'34" E; ATPOL square Fe 24), in the village Wola Zagojska (50°26'41" N, 20°36'34" E; ATPOL square Fe 24), and in the Krzyżanowice Reserve (50°27'13" N 20°33'36" E; ATPOL square Fe 14), in the Ponidzie region. The basidiocarps of D. verrucosa were collected in the xerothermic grass, within Festucetum pallentis and Sisymbrio-Stipetum capillatae associations in the neighborhood of Festuca pallens, Stipa capillata, and Thymus marschalianus. On the basis of collected basidiocarps, macro- and microscopic characteristics were described and compared with other European Disciseda species. An identification key to the species of Disciseda occurring in Poland is given.