Omphaliaster asterosporus
Omphaliaster asterosporus (J.E. Lange) Lamoure
Hygroaster asterosporus (J.E. Lange) Singer
Tricholomataceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap umbonate, 1–2 cm in diameter, moist, radially furrowed almost to the centre, grey brown or dark grey brown, dry. Gills notched, rare, branched, ochre grey. Stipe cylindrical, 1.5–3 × 0.1–0.2 cm, concolorous with the cap, whitish at base. Flesh thin, grey-brown. Spores broadly ellipsoid to semi-globose, star-shaped, 6–7 × 5–6 µm, colourless. Fruit-bodies single or in small groups. V–X.
Habitats and populations. On sandy, acid soils among mosses (Polytrichum, Sphagnum, etc.) in humid coniferous forests (spruce – Picea, pine – Pinus).
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Western – Shiroki Rid locality near Godech).
General distribution. Europe, North America.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by logging, infrastructure development (tourism/recreation), 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 habitat; regular monitoring.
References. Hinkova, Drumeva 1978; Gyosheva et al. 2000, 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
