- Scientific name
- Gymnopilus punctifolius
- Author
- (Peck) Singer
- Common names
-
- IUCN Specialist Group
Mushroom, Bracket and Puffball
- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Agaricales
- Family
- Strophariaceae
- Assessment status
-
Published
- Assessment date
- 2021-03-17
- IUCN Red List Category
-
LC
- Assessors
- Siegel, N.
- Reviewers
- Dahlberg, A.
Assessment Notes
Justification
Gymnopilus punctifolius is a widespread species in western North America, growing from large woody debris. It is currently known from over 200 localities, with a preference for mature and old growth-forests. Based on the number of records over a wide area, it is assessed as Least Concern (LC).
Taxonomic notes
Gymnopilus punctifolius was described as
Cortinarius punctifolius (Peck 1903) from a type collection made in Idaho, USA. It was transferred into the genus
Gymnopilus (Singer 1949) where is resides today.
Flammula punctifolius (Peck) A.H. Sm. is a synonym. Eastern North American reports (Bessette
et al. 1995, MyCoPortal 2021) appear to result from confusion with the similar named
Gymnopilus pulchrifolius.
Geographic range
It is known from Santa Cruz County California north coastally into south-east Alaska. It also occurs in the Siskiyou Range in northern California, becoming widespread through the Pacific Northwest, east into the Rocky Mountains, south to Arizona and New Mexico. There is a single report from Mexico (iNaturalist 2021) which looks very similar macroscopically. Until more taxonomic work is done on this collection, it is not considered in this assessment. Also, eastern North American reports (Bessette
et al. 1995, MyCoPortal 2021) appear to result from confusion with the similar named
Gymnopilus pulchrifolius.
Population and Trends
The population is very widespread across western North America from coastal to montane forests. It appears to be a generalist decomposer of large conifer woody debris. It appears to be more common in mature and old-growth forests, but is not limited to these areas. It is currently known from around 200 localities (MyCoPortal 2021). It has a cryptic growth habit (often along the underside of logs, or in stump cavities) and drab colours; these factors have probably limited the number of records. Data to fully assess trends are lacking, but based on the number of recent records it appears stable.
Population Trend: stable
Habitat and Ecology
It is a saprophyte typically on large woody debris, and often fruiting along the underside of logs, or in stump cavities. It appears to be more common in mature and old growth forests, but is not limited to these areas.
Threats
This species appears to need large woody debris, and is far more common in undisturbed ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. Repeated clear-cutting or logging, removal of debris, and stand-replacing fires and the subsequent removal of snags are detrimental to this species.
Conservation Actions
This species is included on the United States Forest Service Northwest Forest Plan Survey and Manage list of rare/old growth forest dependent fungi, and has been actively surveyed for since the late 1990’s. (Castellano
et al. 1999). Logging of old growth forests should be stopped and clear cutting practices should be limited; while long term viability of this species in 2
nd and 3
rd growth forests should be investigated. Modern taxonomic work on
Gymnopilus should be conducted, especially with outlying collections.
Use and Trade
No use/trade is known.
Source and Citation
Siegel, N. 2021. Gymnopilus punctifolius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T198482194A198486832.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T198482194A198486832.en .Accessed on 30 September 2024