Suillus americanus is an edible ectomycorrhizal fungus associated with five-needle pines, across the northern hemisphere. It is common and there is no evidence of significant decline. Therefore, it is assessed as being of Least Concern (LC).

The species was previously known under two names, Suillus sibiricus and S. americanus, and subsumed under S. americanus by Klofac (2013). Molecular data from Nguyen et al. (2016) supported this change due to a lack of discernable phylogenetic structure based on ITS sequences in the S. americanus clade.

Suillus americanus is a widespread species in the Northern Hemisphere (GBIF.org 2021). It is found in North America, Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia to Russia, China and Japan, Pakistan and India. It does not occur naturally in the Southern Hemisphere, although it might have been introduced with the establishment of five-needle pine plantations (e.g. Pinus strobus in South Africa).

The population size of Suillus americanus is very large, as it is such a widespread species. Its population may regonally be in decline due to loss of hosts across some of its range, but likely stable in other large areas, especially Russia.

Suillus americanus is an ectomycorrhizal fungus that associates exclusively with five-needle pines, usually what is called white pines (e.g. Pinus strobus, P. monticola, P. lambertiana, P. longaeva, P. ayacahuite, P.cembra, P. peuce, P. wallichiana) in natural forests, near-natural forests (extensively used), plantations, and isolated trees.

There appear to be no particular large scale threats worldwide. Regionally it is assessed as threatened due to loss of its forest habitats (e.g. in Austria and Germany (Dämon and Krisai-Greilhuber 2017; Dämmrich et al 2016).

Reducing habitat loss is the main needed action. In North America, efforts to maintain populations of host trees are ongoing. In Europe, many sites are within nature reserves, so threats to the species are reduced.

Careful morphological studies coupled with molecular data from genes other than the ITS, including from type specimens, and host association data are needed to ascertain the (subtle) differences between the varieties and formae within Suilus americanus (Nguyen et al. 2016).

Suillus americanus is edible, but not much used.

Dämon, W and Krisai-Greilhuber, I. (2017). Die Pilze Österreichs. Verzeichnis und Rote Liste 2016.

Dämmrich, F., Lotz-Winter H., Schmidt M., Pätzold W., Otto P., Schmitt J.A., Scholler M., Schurig B., Winterhoff W., Gminder A., Hardtke H.J., Hirsch G., Karasch P., Luderitz M., Schmidt-Stohn G., Siepe K., Täglich U. and Wöldecke K. (2016). Rote Liste der Großpilze und vorläufige Gesamtartenliste der Ständer- und Schlauchpilze (Basidiomycota und Ascomycota) Deutschlands mit Ausnahme der Flechten und der phytoparasitischen Kleinpilze.

GBIF 2024. Suillus americanus (Peck) Snell https://www.gbif.org/species/5239915 accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-11-07