Assessment Notes

Justification

There is a high degree of uncertainty around this taxonomic concept. It appears to only be known from the type, collected on a rotten log in South Carolina; but the exact locality is not known. It potentially may also not truly represent a member of Cantharellus. Due to the high degree of uncertainty surrounding this taxon, it is assessed as Data Deficient.

---

Taxonomic notes

This species was described in the genus Cantharellus, but it potentially does not warrant placement there (Coker 1919).

---

Geographic range

The only known collection of this species comes from South Carolina (Berkely and Curtis 1859), but the exact locality is unknown.

---

Population and Trends

There is no information available on the population size and trend.

Population Trend: Unknown

---

Habitat and Ecology

The type specimen was collected on a rotting log, and so it is assumed that the species may be associated with temperate forest. As species of Cantharellus are assumed to form ectomycorrhiza, the report of the type growing on rotting log is notable.

---

Threats

In the absence of any further information regarding the species' range, it is currently not possible to ascertain whether it faces any significant threats or not.

---

Conservation Actions

Further research to rediscover this taxon in the wild is urgently needed. Additionally, research into the species’ taxonomy could be beneficial to get a clearer view of its taxonomic placement, and indeed identifying whether it is a Cantharellus species or not.

---

Use and Trade

There is no use/trade information for this species.

---

Source and Citation

Westrip, J.R.S. 2025. Cantharellus lignatilis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025: e.T269704620A269704622. Accessed on 22 November 2025.

---

• Country occurrence