- Scientific name
- Albatrellopsis flettii
- Author
- (Morse ex Pouzar) Audet
- Common names
- Blue Polypore
- IUCN Specialist Group
- Mushroom, Bracket and Puffball
- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Russulales
- Family
- Albatrellaceae
- Assessment status
-
Published
- Assessment date
- 2021-02-01
- IUCN Red List Category
-
LC
- Assessors
- Siegel, N.
- Reviewers
- Mueller, G.M.
Assessment Notes
Justification
Albatrellus flettii is an easily-recognized fungus which ranges widely in the Pacific Northwest and northern California. It occurs in both coastal and montane forests, where it is ectomycorrhizal with conifers. Although it is uncommon over much of its range, it has a wide (although scattered) distribution, the population appears to be stable, and no threats have been identified. As such it is assessed as Least Concern (LC).
Taxonomic notes
It was originally described as
Polyporus flettii based on a collection made in Bremerton, Washington, USA (Morse 1941), however, this name was invalid as it lacked a Latin description. It was transferred to
Albatrellus and validated by Pouzar (1972). Audet (2010) erected the genus
Albatrellopsis for this this, and closely related species.
Geographic range
This species is known from Santa Cruz County, California, USA, north along the coast, and inland in the Siskiyou mountains, in northern California. It also occurs along the coast, in the Coast Range, and Cascade Ranges in Oregon and Washington, east to the northern Rocky Mountains in Idaho, and southern Alberta and British Columbia. Its distribution continues north along the coast into south-east Alaska. Its distribution is scattered, and it is uncommon in many areas, but can be locally common.
Population and Trends
This species is uncommon across much of its range. The population appears to be stable, is widespread, and no decline has been noted.
Population Trend: stable
Habitat and Ecology
This species is ectomycorrhizal with conifers, especially Sitka Spruce (
Picea sitchensis) and Western Hemlock (
Tsuga heterophylla), possibly with Chinquapin (
Chrysolepis chrysophylla). Fruiting occurs in late summer into winter. It appears in young to mature forests; no preferences have been noted.
Threats
No specific threats have been identified to this species.
Conservation Actions
No specific conservation actions are needed with regards to this species, and no specific research is needed either with regards to this species.
Use and Trade
Albatrellus flettii is edible, but is not highly regarded, and so not often collected for food.
Source and Citation
Siegel, N. 2021. Albatrellopsis flettii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T195921742A195927227.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T195921742A195927227.en .Accessed on 8 March 2024