Tricholoma focale
Tricholoma focale (Fr.) Ricken
Tricholomataceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(ii,iv)+2ab(ii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap broadly conical to umbonate or almost flat, 6–10 cm in diameter, orange red, orange chestnut brown, radially fibrillose and cracked, slightly viscous; margin at first coalescent with the stipe through a fibrillose cortina, then wavy. Gills slightly notched, narrow, dense, white sometimes with brown spots. Stipe cylindrical, attenuated at base, 6–8 × 1.5–2 cm, white under the cap, with red brown zones and fibrillose ring in the middle. Flesh white or yellowish. Spores broadly ellipsoid, 3–4 × 2.5–3 µm, colourless, smooth. Fruit-bodies in groups. IX–XI.
Habitats and populations. On acid, sandy soils in coniferous forests (mainly Scots pine – Pinus sylvestris).
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Western – Ogoya, Yazovini locality near Godech), Znepole Region (near Egalnitsa village), Rila Mts (Borovets), Rhodopi Mts (Western – Kardzhadere locality near Dospat; Central – Polkovnik Serafimovo).
General distribution. Europe, Asia, North America.
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 as well as 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; legal permission for mushroom gathering only for private needs in defined territories and time periods.
References. Hinkova 1965; Hinkova & Drumeva 1978; Hinkova et al. 1979; Gyosheva et al. 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
