Agaricus squamulifer
Agaricus squamulifer (F.H. Møller) Pilát
Agaricaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap at first semi-globose, then umbonate with a wide obtuse central boss, 6–13(20) cm in diameter; whitish, then greyish to grey brown; with fine, narrow scales, velvet fibrillose. Gills free, narrow, white, grey pink to brown, with a light sterile margin. Stipe cylindrical, slightly narrowed on both sides, sometimes widened at base, 6–9(13) × 1.5–2.5 cm, whitish, pink to grey-brown at the top, scaly fibrillose; with a membranous, persistent, whitish, then brownish ring. Flesh white, pinkish when cut. Spores ovoid, 6–6.8 × 4.2–4.6 µm, brown. Fruit-bodies in groups, often in clusters. VI–X.
Habitats and populations. On ground, in coniferous and deciduous forests, and in grasslands, on limestone.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea Coast (Southern), Forebalkan (Western), Balkan Range (Eastern), Znepole Region (Kraishte), Rhodopi Mts (Central), Thracian Lowland.
General distribution. Europe, Asia.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by agriculture (farming), selective logging, development of tourism/recreation infrastructure, acid rains, etc.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. Some localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the population numbers and range; better understanding of the species biology and ecology; conservation of the habitats; regular monitoring.
References. Stoichev & Dimcheva 1987b; Kuthan & Kotlaba 1989; Gyosheva 1997a; Gyosheva et al. 2000, 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
