Dark-purple Earthtongue
Geoglossum atropurpureum
Microglossum atropurpureum is a species of fungus in the family Leotiaceae. In the UK, it has been given the recommended English name of dark-purple earthtongue.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Filip Fuljer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Filip Fuljer
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Geoglossomycetes
Order
Geoglossales
Family
Geoglossaceae
Genus
Geoglossum
Dark-purple Earthtongue belongs to the family Geoglossaceae, order Geoglossales, within the Geoglossomycetes class.
Species Profile
Microglossum atropurpureum is a species of fungus in the family Leotiaceae. In the UK, it has been given the recommended English name of dark-purple earthtongue. Ascocarps are black, often with a purple tint, and are irregularly club-shaped. They occur in soil and resemble earth tongues, but are microscopically distinct. The species was formerly referred to the genus Geoglossum, but is not closely related to the Geoglossomycetes.
Dark-purple Earthtongue faces significant threats from habitat loss due to agricultural intensification and grassland conversion, which destroys the unimproved grasslands and pastures it depends on. Climate change and nitrogen deposition from agricultural runoff further degrade its specialized habitat requirements, while the species' limited dispersal ability makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits nutrient-poor, unimproved grasslands, old pastures, and chalk downs, typically in areas with short turf and low nitrogen levels. Often found in association with waxcap fungi in semi-natural grassland ecosystems that have not been subjected to intensive agricultural practices.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and grassland conversion
Habitat fragmentation and loss of connectivity
Climate change affecting soil moisture and temperature
Nitrogen deposition and soil eutrophication
Overgrazing and inappropriate land management
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Dark-purple Earthtongue (Geoglossum atropurpureum). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/dark-purple-earthtongue