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Four new species of the Ascomycete genus Microglossum are recognized, based on morphological characters and DNA sequences of nuc rDNA (ITS region and 28S gene) and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2). They differ from Microglossum nudipes by the color of the ascocarps and the sizes and shapes of ascospores, asci, and paraphyses. A lectotype is proposed, and an emended description is provided for M. nudipes. Descriptions of new species Microglossum clavatum, M. truncatum, M. pretense, and M. tenebrosum are provided. Other closely related species in the group of green earth tongues include Microglossum viride, M. rickii, and M. griseoviride. An identification key to green Microglossum species is presented.

Geoglossum simile is a distinctive species of the earth tongue class Geoglossomycetes, first described in 1873. The taxonomic standing of this species has long been disputed, resulting in nearly 70 years of potential misdiagnoses. Although G. simile was original- ly described from North America, it has subsequently been reported from several European countries as well as Asia, Australasia, and India. In this study, we report the first records of G. simile from Slovakia and the Czech Republic, examine the morphological and molec- ular diversity of Northern Hemisphere collections, dis- cuss the taxonomic history and current status of the species, and designate a recent North American collec- tion as the epitype of this widely distributed and conservationally significant species.

Recent field research on grassland fungi in Slovakia resulted in collection of rare geoglossaceous fungi. Previously published data on the distribution of the genus Geoglossum in Slovakia have been extended: G. glutinosum (11 sites), G. glabrum (3 sites), G. cookeanum (1 site), G. umbratile (9 sites) and G. fallax (3 sites). The last three species are new for the territory. Each treated species is described and ecological preferences and threat categories are discussed. A field identification key of accepted species is included.

A taxonomic and nomenclatural revision of some representatives of Clavariaceae is presented based on extensive collecting in central and western Europe. Five species originally described from Europe are identified, redescribed and delimited: Clavaria fragilis, Ramariopsis crocea, R. corniculata, R. helvola and R. pulchella. Lectotypes, epitypes or neotypes are designated for all these species. Descriptions are based on macro- and micromorphological characters and supplemented with DNA analyses of the nrLSU regions from 20 specimens. The molecular phylogenetic analyses reconstructed a phylogram showing relation- ships among the discussed species as well as some closely related taxa. The taxonomic value of the ratio of length and width of spores (Q-value) is discussed.

Field research on grassland fungi in Slovakia resulted in collection of several rare fungi, including also geoglossaceous taxa, such as Microglossum viride (5 sites), Trichoglossum hirsutum (13 sites), Trichoglossum walteri (5 sites), Trichoglossum variabile (1 site), Microglossum olivaceum (2 sites), Thuemenidium atropurpureum (1 site). Last three species are new for Slovakia.

Studies in Microglossum viride (Pers.) Gillet revealed that the name was used incorrectly for two similar but different taxa. Analyses of morphological, ecological and molecular (sequences of ITS and LSU region of rRNA gene) characters of type and voucher specimens of M. viride and related taxa resulted in delimitation and description of a new species, Micro- glossum griseoviride V. Kucera, Lizon ˇ & M. Tomsovsky ´. Lectotypes of Geoglossum viride Pers., and epitype of Geoglossum viride are designated. Species Microglossum minus Velen. and Microglossum lutescens Boud. are confirmed to be conspecific to M. viride.

Successional processes in ectomycorrhizal macrofungi associated with Norway spruce plantations on former agricultural land were studied as reflected by sporocarps. Abundance and temporal distribution of sporocarps were recorded in permanent observation plots within stands of various ages in 1989–1992.