Polyporus rhizophilus
Polyporus rhizophilus Pat.
Polyporaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(i,ii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap round or ear-shaped, slightly concave, 1–4 cm in diameter, light ochre to greyish, slightly scaly or smooth. Tubes decurrent, whitish, with angular, creamy to yellow-brown pores. Stipe cylindrical, 2–3 × 0.3–0.5 cm, whitish, brown, to black-brown at the base. Flesh thin, whitish with corky consistency. Spores cylindrical or fusiform, 6–7.5 × 2–5.3 mm, hyaline, smooth. Fruit-bodies single or in small groups. VI–X.
Habitats and populations. On the roots of grass species (mainly feather grass – Stipa) in steppe habitats.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Eastern – Aitoska Mt), Thracian Lowland (Isperihovo village, Pazardzhik district), Tundzha Hilly Country.
General distribution. C and S Europe, E, N Africa.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by farming and stock breeding, fires, soil pollution, etc.
Conservation measures taken. 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. Kuthan & Kotlaba 1989; Gyosheva et al. 2006.
Authors: Melania Gyosheva & Georgi T. Stoichev
