Peziza michelii
Peziza michelii (Boud.) Dennis
Pezizaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(ii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Fruit-bodies (apothecia) sessile, single or crowded, discoid or deep cup-shaped, 0.8–3 cm in diameter, with smooth reddish brown hymenium and paler, slightly warty, fawn brown outer surface and with an undulate margin. Spores ellipsoid, 12.5–17.5 × 5–10(12.5) µm, unicellular with two oil drops, ornamented by well-defined warts on the coat, hyaline. VII–IX.
Habitats and populations. On soil in coniferous, deciduous and mixed woods.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea Coast (Southern – between the village of Vlas and Slanchev Bryag resort, Elenite resort, Arkutino Strict Nature Reserve), Balkan Range (Western – near the peak of Kom), Sredna Gora Mts (Western – Lozenska Mt).
General distribution. Europe, North America.
Threats. Habitat changes as result of wood plantation, livestock breeding, wood extraction, tourism development; change in native species dynamics (directly impacting habitat).
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. One of the localities is situated on the territory of the Arkutino Strict Nature Reserve. Some localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Research into the species biology and ecology; inclusion in the National biodiversity monitoring system.
References. Kuthan & Kotlaba 1981, 1989; Dimitrova 2006; Gyosheva et al. 2006.
Author: Evtimiya Dimitrova
