Pisolithus : death of the pan-global super fungus

In 1977, D. H. Marx's oft-cited review, 'Tree host range and world distribution of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius', was published. Based on literature citations, herbarium records and personal communications, Marx (1977) concluded that P. tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch occurred in 33 countries on six continents and formed mycorrhizas with some 51 tree species. P. tinctorius, it seemed, was something of a pan-global super fungus that might enhance forest production world-wide. Reasonable conclusions from the available information but, as recent work has revealed, it is not quite that straightforward. P. tinctorius sensu lato represents a complex of species, and P. tinctorius sensu stricto is far more limited in both its host range and geographical distribution than was envisaged by Marx.