Leucopaxillus compactus
Leucopaxillus compactus (Fr.) Neuhoff
Tricholomataceae
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(iii, iv)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Cap at first semi-globose then convex to umbonate, 8–10(20) cm in diameter, ochre yellow, sometimes with greenish tinge, ochre brown to pale red brown, dry, mat, velvety fibrillose, cracked at the edges; margin strongly enfolded, often furrowed. Gills notched to slightly decurrent, dense, creamy, ochre yellow, sulphur yellow, becoming red in old specimens. Stipe conversely clavate, bulb-like widened at base, 4–10 × 2–6 cm, whitish with ochre spots, velvety fibrillose. Flesh thick, whitish. Spores ellipsoid, 6–8 × 4–5 µm, verrucose, colourless. IX–XI.
Habitats and populations. On limy soil in deciduous forests (oaks – Quercus, hornbeams – Carpinus).
Distribution in Bulgaria. Znepole Region (Konyavska Mt – near Vedritsa chalet, above Ouglyartsi), Rhodopi Mts (Western – near Skrebatno; Central – near Brestnik).
General distribution. Europe, North America.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by logging, infrastructure development (tourism/recreation), fires, acid rains.
Conservation measures taken. Species whose habitats need priority protection according to the national Biological Diversity Act. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. 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. Stoichev & Stefanov 1983; Stoichev & Dimcheva 1987b; Gyosheva et al. 2000, 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
