Assessment Notes

Justification

Due to the lack of major threats to the habitat for this species across much of the large inferred range, it is tentatively assessed that this species is of Least Concern.

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Taxonomic notes

A more recent phylogenetic study suggested that Cantharellus borealis should be placed in Craterellus and is close or conspecific with Craterellus lutescens (Olariaga et al. 2017). The authors advised undertaking a comparison with C. lutescens to ascertain the placement of C. borealis.

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Geographic range

Cantharellus borealis was described from Norway, but there are very few georeferenced available subsequent to its description. GBIF (2020) also lists seven observational records from Slovenia over the period 1974-2004, where it has been repeatedly identified by different recorders. A less certain record of C. borealis comes from the eastern Amur region in Russia (Kochunova 2015).

Range extent is uncertain as occurrence data are very limited. However, under a tentative assumption that the records from Slovenia and Russia are accurate, the range could extend across much of Europe where the habitat is suitable. The type description highlights that the distribution of C. borealis could be more widespread across the northern part of Fennoscandia and further eastwards into Russia where there is a favourable bedrock.

The map is an inferred range of C. borealis based on existing occurrence records and distribution of Carex capillaris, one of the two Carex species named in the type description as forming the wet meadow grass habitat. In this inferred distribution, the Russian record is included, as it is recorded as being associated with wetland favouring alder, aligning with the wet meadow habitat in C. borealis’ type description. However, further confirmation of this record and presence of C. borealis in Russia is needed.

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Population and Trends

Population estimates depend on the assumptions about the inferred range. Given the broad range of Carex species thought to make up its habitat and the existing widely distributed records it can tentatively be assumed to occur across Eurasia where appropriate habitat exists. Estimation of the population size requires a more thorough examination of data.

Wet meadows may have declined through changing land use in parts of this distribution, although many upland areas are less likely to have experienced as many land-use related threats to their habitat, particularly in the more northern portion of its potential distribution. There may be a decreasing population trend in places, but the few spatio-temporal records mean this is too strong an inference for the whole potential distribution.

Population Trend: Unknown

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Habitat and Ecology

The type description states that specimens were found in a wet meadow of grasses and Carex spp. including C. capillaris and C. adelostoma.

The bedrock of the area was sandstone, with outcrops of dolomite that influence the vegetation, especially in wet places. The Carex spp. and other vascular plants in the locality indicated a relatively high pH. Other Norwegian observations recorded on wet calcarious soil.

The more recent Russian record was present in areas where alder formed the tree cover where present, indicating it was also a wetland environment.

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Threats

There are no documented threats, but wet meadow habitats are likely to face drainage and land use changes to agriculture or forestry plantation in parts of the inferred distribution, particularly in the more southern European area.

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Conservation Actions

Confirmation of taxonomic status and an evaluation of its distribution, population, habitat and ecology is required to better assess this species.

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Use and Trade

There is no documented use of this species.

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Source and Citation

Tansey, C. 2025. Cantharellus borealis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025: e.T271620970A271621906. Accessed on 22 November 2025.

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• Country occurrence