Trichophyton tonsurans is unique because of its marked size and morphological variability of its microconidia which may be round, tear-shaped, cigar-shaped, or swollen and enlarged.
The top right image shows a T. tonsurans culture plate demonstrating at the center of the colony a wrinkled appearance, though, overall, the colony exhibits a glabrous or smooth velvety appearance, as well as its characteristic yellowish-beige coloration. The bottom right image shows a T. tonsurans lactophenol cotton blue preparation demonstrating macroconidia and filamentous hyphae.
Images courtesy of the CDC.