Sarcodon leucopus
Sarcodon leucopus (Pers.) Maas Geest. & Nannf.
Bankeraceae
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap at first convex then flat and concave in the centre, 5–15(25) cm in diameter, brown red in young specimens, in old specimens grey brown or lilac grey; nude, smooth at first, then scaly and cracked. Spines 5–15 mm long, decurrent, lilac brown to grey brown, with whitish tips. Stipe central or lateral, massive, 4–8 × 2–6 cm, brown red or grey red, smooth. Flesh whitish sometimes with a lilac tinge, thick with unpleasant odour and bitter taste. Spores angular, 6–7 × 4–5 µm, light brown, verrucose. VIII–XI.
Habitats and populations. On limy and sandy soils in coniferous forests (mainly pines – Pinus and spruce – Picea).
Distribution in Bulgaria. Pirin Mts (Northern – Betoulovoto locality; Southern – near Razlog), Rhodopi Mts (Western – above Dospat).
General distribution. Europe.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by logging, infrastructure development (tourism/recreation), fires, acid rains.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. Several localities are on the territory of Pirin National Park as well as in site 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. Hinkova 1965; Hinkova et al. 1979; Stoichev & Dimcheva 1988; Gyosheva et al. 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
