Discina leucoxantha
Discina leucoxantha (Boud.) Gillet
Discinaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(i,ii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Fruit-bodies (apothecia) sessile, 2–5 cm in diameter, deep cupulate, often slightly narrowed to the base with strongly wavy rim, pale yellow. Spores ellipsoid, 27.5–32.5(35) × 12.5–15 µm (without apicules) with fine punctate or fine network surface, unicellular with a big central oil drop and conical truncate apicules, slightly retuse at the top. V–VI.
Habitats and populations. On soil, mainly in coniferous forests.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt), Pirin Mts (above the Banderitsa chalet).
General distribution. Europe.
Threats. Habitat changes as result of wood plantation, livestock, wood extraction, tourism, fires.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. One of the localities is situated on the territory of the Pirin National Park. The localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Research into the species biology and ecology; inclusion in the National biodiversity monitoring system.
References. Aleksandrov 1970, 1971; Gyosheva et al. 2006.
Author: Evtimiya Dimitrova
