Lepista luscina
Lepista luscina (Fr. : Fr.) Singer
Tricholomataceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(i,iii)].
Morphology and biology. Cap at first convex then umbonate, 3–12(15) cm in diameter, grey beige, brownish, with peripheral concentric brown moist spots; margin whitish, frosted-like. Gills notched, dense, ochre, grey beige, pink brown. Stipe short, tough, narrowed at the base, 3–7 × 1.5–2 cm, whitish. Flesh whitish to greyish. Spores broadly ellipsoid, 4.5–7 × 3–4.5 µm, finely verrucose, colourless. Fruit-bodies in groups and circles. VIII–XI.
Habitats and populations. On the ground, in grass habitats: meadows, glades, parks, and in the periphery of light deciduous forests.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Western – Yazovini locality near Godech), Thracian Lowland (near Benkovski).
General distribution. Europe, N Africa.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by farming, stock breeding, infrastructure development (transport), soil pollution.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi 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 & Stoichev 1983; Gyosheva et al. 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
