Agaricus essettei
Agaricus essettei Bon
A. abruptibulbus Peck
Agaricaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap at first conical, then umbonate with a wide central boss, 8–12 cm in diameter, white but yellowish when touched, nude, velvet fibrillose. Gills free, narrow, grey pink to chocolate brown, with a light sterile margin. Stipe cylindrical, widened at base, 10–18 × 1–2.5 cm, white and yellowish when touched, reddish at the top; with a thin hanging ring, with an ochraceous, cotton-like coating. Flesh white, pale pink when cut. Spores ellipsoid, ovoid, 6–8 × 4–5 µm, brown. Fruit-bodies single or in groups. VI–X.
Habitats and populations. On the ground in coniferous (spruce – Picea) and mixed (spruce – Picea, pines – Pinus, beeches – Fagus) forests, rarely in deciduous forests.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea Coast (Southern), Balkan Range (Central), Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt), Pirin Mts, Rila Mts, Sredna Gora Mts (Western), Rhodopi Mts (Western), Strandzha Mt
General distribution. Europe, Asia, North America.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by selective logging, development of tourism/recreation and road infrastructure, fires, etc.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. Several localities are situated within the borders of Central Balkan, Rila and Pirin National Parks, Vitosha Nature Park. Some localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the population numbers and range and better understanding of the species biology and ecology; habitat conservation; regular monitoring.
References. Burzakov 1933; Kuthan & Kotlaba 1989; Dimcheva 1991; Gyosheva & Dimcheva 1991; Mihov 1994; Gyosheva et al. 2000, 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
