Boletopsis leucomelaena
Boletopsis leucomelaena (Pers.) Fayod
Bankeraceae
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(i,iii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap semi-globose, at first convex, then concave in the centre, irregular, folded towards the periphery, 5–15 cm in diameter, grey brown to black brown with a violet tinge; smooth, then fine scaly, wrinkled, cracked. Tubes short, decurrent, white, then ash grey to green grey; pores wide, angular, creamy then olive grey or ash-grey. Stipe 5–8 × 1–3 cm, central or lateral, grey to olive brown, smooth, then scaly, wrinkled when dry. Flesh white, when injured pinkish then blackish. Spores 4.5–7 × 4–5 μm, angular, whitish. VII–XI.
Habitats and populations. On calcareous and sandy soils in coniferous forests (spruce – Picea abies, Scots pine – Pinus sylvestris).
Distribution in Bulgaria. Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt), Rila Mts (near Chakalitsa chalet), Rhodopi Mts (Western – near Velingrad, Chehlyovsko forest enterprise).
General distribution. C and N Europe.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by logging, development of tourism/recreation infrastructure, fires; soil pollution.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. Several localities are within the borders of 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; better understanding of the species biology and ecology; conservation of the habitats; regular monitoring.
References. Hinkova 1955a; Hinkova et al.1979; Gyosheva et al. 2000, 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
