Calvatia candida was described from northern Poland by Rostkovius (1839) as Langermannia candida. It is closely related to C. rugosa (syn. C. rubroflava).  In the Americas however, C. rubroflava is applied as a synonym to C. candida. The barcoding sequences submitted to Genbank of American C. candida/rubroflava are considerably different from that of a European sequence, This indicates that we might have to deal with two separate species. Also sequences submitted as C. candida from India differ from the European material. This calls for a detailed systematic study.  Furthermore, records of Calvatia candida from boreal-subalpine-arctic areas (Iceland and Greenland; Lange 1990) are erroneous and refer to Lycoperdon turneri (Larsson & Jeppson 2008, Jeppson 2013). .

The taxonomic situation of Calvatia candida on a global scale is somewhat unclear. As for Europe, from where it was orginally described, it is potentially threatened by habitat decline of the steppe biome (changing land use). Also desertification is an imminent threat to this habitat.
Considering the European population, VU (C1) could be considered.
Global evaluation unreliable based on current knowledge, suggested DD

The world distribution of C. candida is somewhat ambiguous as molecular data indicate that several species might be involved (see Names and taxonomy paragraph).
Records from Iceland reported by Lange (1990) are erroneous and belong to other species (Jeppson 2018).

Due to ambiguities in species concepts, only the European population is considered here. Although rare, it is observed regularly in sandy , steppic areas of east central Europe (Hungary and SE Slovakia). These habitats are however declining due to abandoned grazing, transfer of steppe grasslands into arable fields , forestation and exploitation (roads, buildings).
The decreasing area of the steppe grassland biome is an historical and ongoing process strongly affecting “steppe fungi”.
Poland (from where it was described): no recent records; Czech Republic redlisted as EN (C1).
The population status in the Mediterranean vegetation (Spain, France, Italy) is currently unkown.

Estimated number of localities (Europe): 200
Estimated number of functinal individuals: 400
Estimated number of mature individuals: 4000

Calvatia candida is a species of xerothermic grasslands, steppes, dry mediterranean vegetation, fallow fields, wastelands and old vineyards on sandy soil.

Occurs in exposed sites with a low field layer in dry grasslands and steppe habitats; these are threatened by overgrowth due to ceased grazing but in certain regions also by overgrazing.
Transfer of steppe grasslands to cultivated fields is further leads to habitat loss. This is an historical and ongoing process.

Its occurrence in fallow fields and old vineyards indicate however that it might be able to colonize man-made habitats to some extent.

Red-listed as EN in the Czech Republic, in Poland proposed as “E”.
The current population status is somewhat unclear and should be subject of inventory/monitoring.

Taxonomic research is needed on a global scale to resolve the species limits within the group C. candida, C. rubroflava and C. rugosa.

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