Hygrophorus erubescens
Hygrophorus erubescens (Fr. : Fr.) Fr.
Tricholomataceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap at first broadly conical or semi-globose to umbonate, 4–10 cm in diameter, white or yellowish, in old specimens with obscure red spots, slightly viscous, fibrillose scaly, scales cherry red. Gills decurrent, rare, wide, white with reddish spice, then rusty spotted. Stipe cylindrical or narrowed at the base, 4–10 × 1–2 cm, concolorous with the cap. Flesh white to yellowish, bitter. Spores ovoid, 8–11 × 4–5 µm, smooth, colourless. Fruit-bodies single and in groups. IX–X.
Habitats and populations. On limy and sandy soils in coniferous forests (spruce – Picea abies, fir – Abies alba, Scots pine – Pinus sylvestris) and rarely in mixed forests with beech (Fagus sylvatica).
Distribution in Bulgaria. Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt), Rila Mts, Rhodopi Mts (Western, Central).
General distribution. Europe, Asia, North America, N Africa.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by logging, infrastructure development (tourism/recreation), fires, acid rains.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. Several localities are situated on the territories of Rila National Park, Bistrishko Branishte Strict Nature Reserve (Vitosha Mt), Beglika Strict Nature Reserve and Momchilovski Dol Managed Nature Reserve (Rhodopi Mts). 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 1931, 1933; Hinkova et al. 1979; Gyosheva 2000; Gyosheva & Andreeva 2000; Gyosheva et al. 2000, 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
