Chalciporus amarellus is a rare but widespread ectomycorrhizal fungus with its main distribution probably in Mediterranean countries. Its main habitats are spruce and pine forests which currently are not declining at the European scale. Therefore, it is assessed as a species of Least Concern.

Nomenclatural problem exists. It is needed to find out which name is the best to use for this taxon, Chalciporus pseudorubinus (Thirring) Pilát & Dermek, C. pierrhuguesii (Boud.) Bon or C. amarellus. For the time being we follow Mycobank, calling it Chalciporus amarellus. Research on this topic is in progress by Klofac et al. and hopefully will be published 2024. We do not accept synonymy with Chalciporus piperatus proposed by Index fungorum because of several discriminating characters differentiating it from the latter.

It is a rare but widespread species with its main distribution area probably in Mediterranean countries. Its main habitats are spruce and pine forests which currently are not declining at the European scale.

The species is known from 20 countries. It is distributed mainly in the Mediterranean area, in Central Europe. There are two records known from Krasnodar Krai district in Russia. It is not known from Northern Europe. The GBIF records from Americas are considered to be a different species.

Based on experience of well researched countries with verifiable data like Switzerland, Austria and Italy, which seem to be the center of its distribution, we estimate a total population size of 3000 to 5000 mature individuals. As its main habitats are not in decline or threat, the species is not endangered and we consider it as Least Concern.

It is an ectomycorrhizal species, characteristic of coniferous forests in pedominantely mountainous areas. It is symbiotic with pines (Pinus spp.), spruce (Picea abies), and fir (Abies alba). In Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia it is associated with Pinus heldreichii. In Austria it is associated with Pinus nigra over limestone soil, Picea abies and Pinus mugo.

In Bosnia & Herzegovina threats are habitat loss and degradation due to forestry activities such as excessive logging, wood harvesting, erosion, changes in habitat management regime, urbanization, fires, and by tourism expansion.

Especially in Mediterranean countries large scale intensive forest logging and overtourism pose local treats and should be avoided.

Taxonomic work is needed, especially molecular analyses, because the DNA sequences present in the Genbank indicate that it might be complex of at least two cryptic species.

edible, but of no value and not searched for.

Index fungorum
Mycobank
iNatGreece