Leucocortinarius bulbiger
Leucocortinarius bulbiger (Alb. & Schwein. : Fr.) Singer
Cortinariaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap at first semi-globose, then broadly convex, 5–12 cm in diameter, red brown, fleshy red, yellow brown; margin with white remains from the cortina. Cortina gossamery, white. Gills notched, wide, rare, white to pale brown. Stipe conversely clavate, bulb-like, thickened at base, 4–10 × 1–1.8 cm, white to ochre brown, with ring-like gossamery remains from the cortina. Flesh white. Spores ellipsoid, 7–9 × 5–6 µm, smooth, colourless. Fruit-bodies in groups. IX–X.
Habitats and populations. On the ground, in coniferous forests (spruce – Picea, pines – Pinus).
Distribution in Bulgaria. Vitosha Region (Vitosha Mt – Shikovo Prisoe locality), Rila Mts (Borovets, Parangalitsa Strict Nature Reserve), Rhodopi Mts (Central – Momchilovski Dol Managed Nature Reserve).
General distribution. Europe, Asia.
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. Several localities are within the borders of Vitosha Nature Park, Parangalitsa Strict Nature Reserve and Momchilovski Dol Managed Mature 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. Hinkova 1954, 1955a; Gyosheva & Andreeva 2000; Gyosheva et al. 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
