- Proposed
- Under Assessment
- DDPreliminary Assessed
- 4Assessed
- 5Published
Clavariadelphus occidentalis Methven
- Scientific name
- Clavariadelphus occidentalis
- Author
- Methven
- Common names
- IUCN Specialist Group
Mushroom, Bracket and Puffball- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Gomphales
- Family
- Clavariadelphaceae
- Assessment status
- Preliminary Assessed
- Preliminary Category
- DD
- Proposed by
- Noah Siegel
- Assessors
- Noah Siegel
- Comments etc.
- James Westrip
Assessment Notes
Justification
Clavariadelphus occidentalis is a common and widespread species in western North America, occurring in both hardwood and conifer forests; from southern California north into Alaska. It has a cylindrical or irregular lengthwise flattened club-like fruit body, with a whitish buff to ochraceous buff color when young, becoming tan to grayish orange in age.
Recent unpublished phylogenetic data has suggested multiple cryptic species in the C. occidentalis group. Until this group gets modern taxonomic work, it should be listed as Data Deficient (DD).
Taxonomic notes
Clavariadelphus occidentalis was described by Methven (1989), from a collection made in Yuba County, California, USA. Prior to this, the western North American species went by the misapplied name Clavariadelphus pistillaris.
Unpublished sequence data suggest multiple species going by the name C. occidentalis. (See Clements 2018, https://mushroomobserver.org/330896).
Why suggested for a Global Red List Assessment?
Clavariadelphus occidentalis is a common and widespread species in western North America, occurring in both hardwood and conifer forests; from southern California north into Alaska. It has a cylindrical or irregular lengthwise flattened club-like fruit body, with a whitish buff to ochraceous buff color when young, becoming tan to grayish orange in age.
Recent unpublished phylogenetic data has suggested multiple cryptic species in the C. occidentalis group. Until this group gets modern taxonomic work, it should be listed as Data Deficient (DD).
Geographic range
Widespread in western North America, from southeast Alaska, south to southern California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Population and Trends
Population is widespread and appears stable. However, believed multi cryptic species makes it hard to assess.
Population Trend: Uncertain
Habitat and Ecology
Ectomycorrhizal with hardwoods and conifers, in coastal and montane forests across western North America.
Threats
No specific threats have been identified with regards to this species.
Conservation Actions
No specific conservation actions is needed with regards to this species.
Research needed
Clavariadelphus in western North America are in dire need of modern taxonomic work, as preliminary phylogenetic data has suggested multiple cryptic species in the C. occidentalis group.
Use and Trade
None known.
Bibliography
Castellano, M.A., Cázares, E., Fondrick, B. & Dreisbach, T. (2003). Handbook to additional fungal species of special concern in the Northwest Forest Plan. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-572. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 144 pp
Clements, T. 2018. https://mushroomobserver.org/330896
Methven, A.S. 1989. Notes on Clavariadelphus. III. New and noteworthy species from North America. Mycotaxon 34: 153-179.
Siegel, N. and Schwarz, C. 2016. Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fungi of Coastal Northern California. Ten Speed Press, Emeryville, CA. 602 pp.
