Russula viscida
Russula viscida Kudřna
Russulaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(ii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap semi-globose to umbonate or almost flat, 5–15 cm in diameter, hard, dark red, purple red, purple brown with yellowish, olive brown, or light brown spots; surface viscous, sticky. Gills free or slightly notched, creamy or brownish. Stipe cylindrical, attenuate at base, 4–8(12) × 2–3 cm, ochre with brownish spots. Flesh white to brownish, hard. Spores broadly ellipsoid, 9–11 × 8–9 mm, colourless, reticulated-dotted. Fruit-bodies in groups. VII–X.
Habitats and populations. On sandy soils in coniferous forests (spruce – Picea, fir – Abies).
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rila Mts (Borovets), Rhodopi Mts (Western – Grobut locality in the Selishta forestry enterprise).
General distribution. Mainly N and C Europe, Asia (China).
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. Some localities are within Rila Nature Park and 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
