Clavariadelphus truncatus
Clavariadelphus truncatus (Quél.) Donk
Gomphaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Fruit-body clavate, truncated or flattened at the top, 6–12(15) cm tall, 5–10 cm wide in the upper part, gradually narrowing up to 1 cm at the base, at first ochraceous, orange- ellow, then light brown to brown pink; smooth, in older specimens wrinkled and deeply furrowed. Flesh thin, white; violet brown at exposure, dense; hollow in the widened part. Fertile layer developing on the upper surface of fruit-body. Spores broadly ellipsoid, 9–11 × 5–8 µm, smooth, colourless. Fruit-bodies single and in groups. VIII–IX.
Habitats and populations. On the ground in coniferous forests (spruce – Picea, pines – Pinus) in the mountains.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt – Bistrishko Branishte Strict Nature Reserve), Rila Mts (Ovnarsko locality), Rhodopi Mts (Central – near Zdravets hut, near Tsar Kaloyan village, Momchilovski Dol Managed Nature Reserve).
General distribution. Europe, Asia, North America.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by logging, development of tourism/recreation infrastructure, fires, gathering for food.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. Several localities are situated in the Bistrishko Branishte Strict Nature Reserve and Momchilovski Dol Managed Nature Reserve. 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 & Stefanov 1983; Gyosheva & Andreeva 2000; Gyosheva et al. 2000, 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
