Hygrocybe punicea
Hygrocybe punicea (Fr. : Fr.) P. Kumm.
Tricholomataceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap at first conical then umbonate to flat with a distinct boss in the centre, 5–10 cm in diameter, purple red, dark red to yellow red, smooth, nude, slightly viscous; margin straight, sometimes wavy, often deeply serrate. Gills free, rare, pale yellow to ochre-red. Stipe cylindrical, 4–10 × 0.8–2 cm, with longitudinal fibrillose furrows, orange red or yellow orange, whitish at base. Flesh thin, yellowish, whitish in the middle. Spores ellipsoid, 8.5–11 × 5–6 µm, smooth, colourless. Fruit-bodies single and in groups. IX–X.
Habitats and populations. In grasslands (meadows, pastures, and glades), often in communities of mat-grass (Nardus stricta); on sandy and limy soils.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Central), Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt), Rila Mts, Rhodopi Mts (Western, Central).
General distribution. Europe, Asia, North America, Australia.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by agriculture, infrastructure development (tourism/recreation, transport), fires, household pollution, acid rains.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. Several localities are situated on the territory of Rila National Park, Vitosha Nature Park, Tsarichina and Dzhendema Strict Nature Reserves in Central Balkan National Park. 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. Hinkova 1955a, 1958b; Hinkova et al. 1979; Fakirova et al. 2000; Gyosheva 2000; Gyosheva et al. 2000, 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
