Elasmomyces mattirolianus
Elasmomyces mattirolianus Cavara
Russulaceae
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(i,iii)].
Morphology and biology. Fruit-bodies globose or corm-like, 1–5 cm in diameter. Peridium unilayered, thin, whitish then yellowish to brownish. Gleba white to yellowish, filling chambers. The mature fruit-body composed of cap and stipe. Lower surface of the cap with protruding lamellae-like ribs composed of sterile trama; margin free in its lower part. Stipe strongly reduced, transforming into a columella inside the fruit-body. Spores globose, 8–10(15) µm, echinate. IX–XI.
Habitats and populations. Semi-hypogeous, in sandy and limy soils, in deciduous (beeches – Fagus, hornbeams – Carpinus, and oaks – Quercus) and rarely in coniferous forests.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rila Mts (upstream of Ribnitsa River, near Kostenets village).
General distribution. Europe.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by stock breeding, logging, development of tourism/recreation and road infrastructure, fires, etc.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the population numbers and range; better understanding of the species biology and ecology; conservation of the habitat; regular monitoring of the known locality.
References. Hinkova 1958b; Gyosheva et al. 2000, 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
