Lactarius spinosulus
Lactarius spinosulus Quél.
Russulaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii,iv)+2ab(iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap at first convex then flat to umbonate, 2–6 cm in diameter, fleshy pink, lilac pink; surface with dense sharpen scales. Gills notched or slightly decurrent, narrow, cream to pink ochre. Stipe cylindrical, narrowed at the base, 3–6 × 0.6–1 cm, concolorous with the cap or lighter. Flesh whitish or yellowish. Milk white, slightly pungent. Spores semi-globose, 7–8 × 5–7 µm, light ochre. Fruit-bodies single or in groups. VIII–IX.
Habitats and populations. On the ground, in humid deciduous (birch – Betula, oaks – Quercus, alders – Alnus) and rarely in coniferous (spruce – Picea) forests. To date only one locality has been established.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt – Vladaya).
General distribution. Europe.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by logging, infrastructure development (tourism/recreation, transport), fires.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. The known locality is situated on the territory of Vitosha Nature Park and in a site 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 habitat; regular monitoring.
References. Hinkova & Stoichev 1983; Gyosheva et al. 2000, 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
