Hydnellum aurantiacum
Hydnellum aurantiacum (Batsch : Fr.) P. Karst.
Bankeraceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap obconical, flattened or slightly concave in the centre, 4–8(10) cm in diameter, at first creamy then yellow orange, orange to rusty brown; surface velvety, with irregular protrusions in the centre; margin wavy, whitish to yellowish. Hymenium composed of numerous spines. Spines conical, up to 5 mm long, decurrent, at first whitish then tinged with yellow-orange, in old specimens rusty brown. Stipe 2–5(10) × 1.5–2 cm, yellow orange to rusty brown, velvety. Flesh cork-like, fibrillose, light orange to rusty brown. Spores semi-globose, 4–6 × 4.5–5 µm, pale yellowish, verrucose. Fruit-bodies single or in small groups, often confluent, VIII–X.
Habitats and populations. On the ground, in coniferous forests (pines – Pinus, spruce – Picea) in the mountains.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt), Rila Mts (above Kostenets village), Rhodopi Mts (Western – near Dospat, Beglika Strict Nature Reserve).
General distribution. Europe, Asia, North America.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by logging, tourism/recreation, fires, acid rains.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. Several localities are on the territory of Vitosha Nature Park and Beglika Strict 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. Burzakov 1928, 1933; Hinkova et al. 1979; Stoichev & Gyosheva 2005; Gyosheva et al. 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
