Russula solaris
Russula solaris Ferd. & Winge
Russulaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap at first semi-globose then umbonate to flat, concave in the centre, 2–6 cm in diameter, bright yellow, sulphur yellow or lemon yellow, lighter towards the periphery; surface smooth, dry or slightly moist; skin peels off to the centre; margin radially furrowed. Gills notched white or yellowish. Stipe cylindrical, becoming thinner at the base, 2–6 × 1–2 cm, white, to dingy white, hollow. Flesh spongy, white. Spores semi-globose, 7–8 × 6 mm, echinate, light creamy. Fruit-bodies in groups. VII–X.
Habitats and populations. On limy and sandy soils in deciduous (mainly beeches – Fagus) and mixed forests (beeches – Fagus, pines – Pinus).
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Central – near Kozya Stena rest house), Sredna Gora Mts (Western – Lozenska Mt near Lozen), Rhodopi Mts (Western – near Velingrad).
General distribution. Europe.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by logging, infrastructure development (tourism/recreation, transport), fires, etc.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. One of the known localities is on the territory of Central Balkan National Park. 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 & Dimcheva 1987a; Gyosheva et al. 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
