Species diversity, molecular phylogeny and ecological habits of <i>Pluteus</i> sect. <i>Hispidoderma</i> (Pluteaceae, Basidiomycota) with an emphasis on Chinese collections

<i>Pluteus</i>, being a wood-rot fungus, bears considerable ecological importance. Among the aforementioned groups, the sect. <i>Hispidoderma</i> is distinguished by a pileipellis resembling a trichoderm, which positions it in a transitional category within the classification of <i>Pluteus</i>.