Octaviania asterosperma
Octaviania asterosperma Vittad.
Boletaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(i,iii)].
Morphology and biology. Fruit-body hypogeous, semi-globose or irregularly round, with root-like rhizomorphs at the base, 2–5 cm in diameter, white, greyish then reddish. Peridium at first soft, fibrillose then verrucose. Gleba thick, with chambers smaller towards the periphery and the base; when mature chambers full with spores. Fibres of the trama white in the upper part of the fruit-body, light greenish to golden yellow at base. Spores globose, 15–18 µm, brown, echinate. Fruit-bodies single or in groups. VIII–X.
Habitats and populations. On limy and sandy soils in deciduous forests (beeches – Fagus, hornbeams – Carpinus, oaks – Quercus).
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (Central – near Dedovo village, Plovdiv district).
General distribution. Europe.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by wood plantations, logging, infrastructure development (transport), fires, 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. Gyosheva et al. 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva & Georgi T. Stoichev
