Helvella phlebophora
Helvella phlebophora Pat. & Doass.
Helvellaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii,iv)+2ab(ii,iii)].
Morphology and biology. Cap convex, hemispherical or slightly flattened, 0.3–2.2 cm wide. Upper (fertile) surface smooth, dark brownish, when dry dark brown to black. Lower surface nude with protruding ribs, whitish to greyish white. Stipe 0.5–3 × 0.2–0.8 cm, with deep longitudinal furrows, whitish to light grey, nude. Spores ellipsoid, (13)15–18 × 9.5–11.5 µm. VI–IX.
Habitats and populations. On the ground.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea Coast (Southern – Elenite complex), Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt, between Zheleznitsa and Kovachevtsi villages); 100–1100 m alt.
General distribution. Europe.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by stock breeding, urbanization, development of tourism/recreation and road infrastructure, soil pollution.
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 habitats; regular monitoring.
References. Kuthan & Kotlaba 1989.
Authors: Roumyana D. Petrova & Cvetomir M. Denchev
