- Proposed
- Under Assessment
- LCPreliminary Assessed
- 4Assessed
- 5Published
Volvariella bombycina (Schaeff.) Singer
- Scientific name
- Volvariella bombycina
- Author
- (Schaeff.) Singer
- Common names
Zīdainā makstaine
Pochwiak jedwabnikowy
Óriás bocskorosgomba
Silky Sheath- Silky Rosegill
Silkehåret posesvamp
Kukmák bělovlnný
Volvaire soyeuse
Wolliger Scheidling
Silkkituppisieni
Silkesslidskivling- IUCN Specialist Group
Mushroom, Bracket and Puffball- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Agaricales
- Family
- Pluteaceae
- Assessment status
- Preliminary Assessed
- Preliminary Category
- LC
- Proposed by
- Attila Sandor
- Assessors
- Irmgard Krisai-Greilhuber, Izabela L. Kalucka, Attila Sandor
- Contributors
- Veronica Spinelli, Andrea Ceci
- Comments etc.
- Inita Daniele, Anders Dahlberg
Assessment Notes
During the assessment period (from 24 August 2023 to 9 August 2025), an additional 2,025 occurrence records were published in GBIF (GBIF, 2023; GBIF,2025); 11 countries in Europe, Asia, and South America were added to the country occurrence map. Red Lists of Fungi (national or regional level) were processed where it was available. The latest taxonomic review of the genus has been processed. (Caballero et al., 2025)
Based on the GBIF, 2025, https://doi.org/10.15468/dl.cmhuye, in the last 10 years, more than 3500 observation-based occurrence records were published worldwide.
The observed extent of occurrence far exceeds the 20,000 km2 limit, and the estimated population size exceeds the 10,000 mature individuals; given the increase in the number of observations year by year, there is no reason to estimate or suspect a decline in population size. I propose to uphold the preliminary assessment of Least Concern (LC).
Taxonomic notes
The Volvariella bombycina (Schaeff.) Singer was initially described in 1774 under the name of Agaricus bombycinus by Schaeffer, J.C., in 1951 it was moved to the Volverialla genus under the name Volvariella bombycina by Singer, R. Volvariella bombycina is a characteristic species with well-established taxonomic background. (Caballero et al., 2025)
Why suggested for a Global Red List Assessment?
Volvariella bombycina is a widespread but uncommon saprobic species that grows primarily on old, broadleaved trees, often in urban areas, parks, gardens, and roadsides. The fruiting bodies are prominent, attracting attention. It usually grows on hot summer days in residential areas when and where no other mushrooms are present.
Being a spectacular species often growing around people makes it a good candidate for a flagship species of fungal conservation. It is a characteristic species with plenty of reliable occurrence data from citizen scientists.
Geographic range
Volvariella bombycina is a worldwide distributed species occurring in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Africa, in temperate, Mediterranean, and subtropical climate zones.
Population and Trends
There are more than 5500 records available for this species worldwide in GBIF (GBIF, 2025). It occurs in natural environments but also in secondary habitats, such as parks, orchards, and roadside tree-lines. The extent of occurrence and the population size show no decline, considered to be stable.
Population Trend: Stable
Habitat and Ecology
Volvariella bombycina usually produces fruiting bodies on rotting wood of broad-leaved trees, especially on Fagus, Ulmus, Quercus, Populus, Betula, and Tilia. Occasionally, it occurs on living trees, inside a hollow, or at the foot of the tree. It also grows on other tree species in parks, including Styphnolobium, Robinia, and Platanus.
Threats
Volvariella bombycina needs thick logs of old trees, so the presence of coarse woody debris is important for the species’ existence.
Conservation Actions
More unmanaged forests and long-term forest reserves should be established in addition to the existing ones, which should be expanded to larger areas.
The management of urban parks should consider fungi as a valuable natural asset and take into account the needs of fungi in the decisions.
In the European Union, the Nature 2000 species list should be extended with fungi species, of which one of the best candidates is Volvariella bombycina as an indicator of old, untamed forests.
Research needed
Fortunately, the increasing activity of citizen science in field mycology provides a growing number of quality occurrence data for Volvariella bombycina. Support for citizen science and regular review of the datasets is recommended so that the changes in trends can be noticed in time.
Use and Trade
Volvariella bombycina is edible but not considered to be a delicacy. It is commercially cultivated in Korea and other countries.
