This species is a presumably ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete endemic to Thailand, growing mostly in groups on soil in evergreen hill forests dominated by Castanopsis and Lithocarpus. When the species was first described in 2016, it was known only from the type locality, with prior intensive surveys conducted in areas of suitable habitat during the species’ fruiting season across several years failing to observe the species elsewhere. However, in 2018, the species was discovered in a second site within the same province, over 60 km from the type locality. The lack of observations despite high levels of survey effort and the conspicuousness of the species suggest that it is rare, although the discovery of the species fruiting earlier in this second site could suggest that species may be found in additional localities missed due to the timings of previous surveys. Taking into consideration the possibility that the species may be present in unknown sites in Chiang Mai, the population size is estimated to be between 100–200 mature individuals. The population trend is unknown, but the species occurs in unprotected forested areas where its habitat may be susceptible to anthropogenic disturbance; further research is required to better determine the threats to the species and their impact on the population.

Given the species’ rarity, it is assessed as Endangered under criterion D1.

This is a rare, easily identifiable species that has recently been described from Northern Thailand. Forests in the known distribution area are under threat from human activities like recurrent burning and tea or coffee plantation.

This species is endemic to Thailand, where it is known from just two sites in the province of Chiang Mai. At the time of the species’ description in 2016, it was known only from the type locality in Baan Pha Deng, where it had been observed every year since its discovery in 2013 (Raspé et al. 2016). Intensive prospecting took place in areas of suitable habitat during the species’ fruiting season in Chiang Mai in 2013, 2014 and 2015, but the species was not found anywhere else, suggesting rarity, especially due to its conspicuousness. However, in 2018 the species was discovered in a second site in the Chiang Mai Province, over 60 km from the type locality, so it is plausible that the species may be found in other additional sites in the province not identified during the earlier prospecting efforts (Jayasiri et al. 2015).

This is a terrestrial species found growing mostly in groups in two small, quite disjunct sites. There is therefore considered to be two functional individuals, each containing 10 mature individuals (Dahlberg and Mueller 2011). Although the species is likely to be rare given its presumed restriction to the Chiang Mai Province and the lack of observations despite high survey effort in the province between 2013 and 2015, its subsequent discovery in an additional site in 2018 suggests that the species may be present in additional localities not identified during this previous survey effort; a small correction factor is therefore applied here to account for this (Jayasiri et al. 2015, Raspé et al. 2016). The population size of this species is therefore estimated to be between 100–200 mature individuals (2 known localities x 5–10 multiplier x 1 functional individual per locality x 10 mature individuals per functional individual).

This species is presumably ectomycorrhizal with Fagaceae (most likely Castanopsis), growing on soil in groups, or more rarely solitary (Raspé et al. 2016). It produces medium-sized basidiomata with a unique aromatic smell, particularly when immature (Jayasiri et al. 2015, Raspé et al. 2016). It was previously thought that the species produced basidiomata only later in the rainy season—between July and August—but when the second locality was discovered in 2018, basidiomata were observed in early June (Jayasiri et al. 2015, Raspé et al. 2016). The species is found in evergreen hill forests dominated by Castanopsis and Lithocarpus and regularly subject to fire (Raspé et al. 2016).

Forests cover in Northern Thailand was reduced by more than 75 % between 1915 and 1995, mostly because of conversion to cropland (Delang 2002). Despite protection measures and reforestation, Thailand lost 7.8 % of Intact Forest Landscapes between 2000 and 2013 (Potapov et al. 2017). In the area where Pulveroboletus fragrans is known to occur, forests continue to be degraded by human activities (e.g. tea or coffee plantations, recurrent burning).

The species is not known to be present in any protected areas (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2026). Given the ongoing threats to the species’ habitat and its small population size, protection of the two known localities is strongly recommended.

The distribution needs to be better known. Further survey effort is required in areas of suitable habitat in Chiang Mai Province, especially now that the species is known to produce basidiomata earlier in the rainy season than originally thought. The ectomycorrhizal symbiotic partners should be identified.

This species is not known to be utilised.

Delang, C.O. (2002) Deforestation in Northern Thailand: the result of Hmong swidden farming practices or Thai Development Strategies? Society and Natural Resources 15 (6): 483-501.

Potapov P, Hansen MC, Laestadius L, et al. (2017) The last frontiers of wilderness: Tracking loss of intact forest landscapes from 2000 to 2013. Science Advances 3: e1600821. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1600821

Raspé O, Vadthanarat S, De Kesel A, Degreef J, Hyde KD, Lumyong S (2016) Pulveroboletus fragrans, a new Boletaceae species from Northern Thailand, with a remarkable aromatic odor. Mycological Progress 15: 38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11557-016-1179-7