Hericium erinaceus
Hericium erinaceus (Bull. : Fr.) Pers.
Hericiaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(i,iii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Fruit-body sitting, irregularly rounded, pear-like, often narrowed into a short stipe attaching to the substrate, up to 25 cm in diameter, white, yellowish to brownish. Hymenium composed of numerous spines. Spines 1–4 cm long, cylindrical, straight or slightly curved, with acute tips, white, then yellowish brown, hanging downwards. Flesh tender, white, in old specimens hard and yellowish. Spores broadly ellipsoid or ovoid, 5–7 × 4.5–6 µm, white. Fruit-bodies single. VII–X.
Habitats and populations. Parasite on stems and large branches of old trees, often on injured parts, in deciduous forests (oaks – Quercus, beeches – Fagus).
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea Coast, Balkan Range (Eastern), Sredna Gora Mts (Western), Rhodopi Mts (Western, Eastern), Strandzha Mts.
General distribution. Europe, Asia, North America.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by logging, development of road infrastructure, urbanization, fires, gathering for food.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. 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. Burzakov 1928; Stoichev 1982; Gyosheva 2000; Gyosheva et al. 2000, 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
