Catathelasma imperiale
Catathelasma imperiale (Quél.) Singer
Tricholomataceae
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(i,iii)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Fruit-body at first covered by a brownish general veil. Cap semi-globose when young, then convex to flattened, finally concave in the centre, 15–15(20) cm in diameter; light brown, olive brown to dark brown; with brownish scales; margin strongly tucked in. Gills decurrent, scattered; whitish to ochraceous, in old specimens becoming black at the edges. Stipe 7–15 × 3–4 cm, conical, root-like at the base, ochraceous to light brown; with white to grey, two-layered, membranous ring. Flesh whitish to creamy. Spores ellipsoid or fusiform, 11–13 × 5–6 µm, smooth, colourless. VIII–IX.
Habitats and populations. On limy and sandy soils in coniferous forests (spruce – Picea abies, Scots pine – Pinus sylvestris).
Distribution in Bulgaria. Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt), Rila Mts (Ovnarsko locality), Rhodopi Mts (Western – Shiroka Polyana locality; Central – near Byala Cherkva rest home, and near Mougla village).
General distribution. Europe, Asia, North America.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by logging, development of tourism/recreation infrastructure, fires.
Conservation measures taken. Species whose habitats are protected according to the national Biological Diversity Act. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. Several localities are situated in 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 1954, 1955a; Stoichev 1982; Gyosheva 2000; Gyosheva et al. 2000, 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
