Mycetinis applanatipes is known from high elevation forests in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range into central Oregon (mycoportal.org). There is a single highly disjunct report from British Columbia, Canada which needs to be critically compared with CA and OR records and is excluded from this assessment. Currently known from 10 disjunct locations over a widespread area. This species has been surveyed as part of the Northwest Forest Plan since the late 1990’s; despite this, only six collections have been made in that time.  Two known sites in California were machine thinned, and it has not been found since at these locations (Dennis Desjardin personal communication). Estimating that there could be 200-500 x the number of known locations, each with 4-8 mature individuals results in a very conservative estimate of 8,000-40,000 mature individuals in scattered relatively small subpopulations. Taking a precautionary approach the species is assessed as Near Threatened C2a(i).

Described as Marasmius applanatipes from a collection made at Yuba Pass, in Sierra County, California, USA (Desjardin 1987).  Later transferred to the genus Mycetinis (Wilson & Desjardin 2005).

Mycetinis applanatipes is a small mushroom occurring on fir duff in high elevation forests of California and Oregon, USA.

Currently known from 11 disjunct locations, despite being surveyed for in Oregon and the Cascade Range in California since the late 1990’s. This species appears be sensitive to disturbance, but data to assess trends is lacking.

Known from high elevation forests in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range into central Oregon (mycoportal.org). There is a single highly disjunct report from British Columbia, Canada; this collection should be critically compared with CA and OR records and is excluded from this assessment.

Currently known from 10 disjunct locations over a widespread area. This species has been surveyed as part of the Northwest Forest Plan (Castellano et al. 1999) since the late 1990’s; despite this, only six collections have been made in that time. Vast areas of appropriate substrate are found in the California mountains, but other factors determining suitable habitat are unknown. Fruiting periodicity is unknown, and data regarding other life history traits relevant to dispersal are also lacking. Two known sites in California were machine thinned, and it has not been found since at these locations (Dennis Desjardin personal communication). Taking a precautionary approach, estimating that there could be 200-500 x the number of locations, each with 4-8 mature individuals results in a very conservative estimate of 8,000-40,000 mature individuals in scattered relatively small subpopulations.

Saprobic. Scattered to gregarious, often in small fused clusters on conifer duff and needles. Most collections come from Red Fir (Abies magnifica) forest. It is typically found in high elevation forests above 2000 m.

Large scale disturbances like logging or machine thinning are likely detrimental. More basic biodiversity data for this species needs to be gathered to know what other threats are negatively impacting the species.

This species is included on the United States Forest Service Northwest Forest Plan Survey and Manage list (as Marasmius applanatipes) of rare/old growth forests dependent fungi, and has been actively surveyed for since the late 1990’s. (Castellano et al. 1999).  Logging and machine thinning in and near known populations should be limited.

Detailed habitat information are needed to properly assess the geographic range and habitat preferences of this species. Long term responses to disturbances due to logging as well as to low to high intensity fires.

None known.

Castellano, M.A., Smith, J.E., O’Dell, T., Cázares, E. and Nugent, S. 1999. Handbook to Strategy 1 Fungal Species in the Northwest Forest Plan. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: Portland, OR. 195 p.

Desjardin, D.E. 1987. New and noteworthy marasmioid fungi from California. Mycologia 79: 123–134.

Desjardin, D.E. 1987. The Agaricales (Gilled Fungi) of California 7. Tricholomataceae I. Marasmioid Fungi: The Genera Baeospora, Crinipellis, Marasmiellus, Marasmius, Micromphale, and Strobilurus. Mad River Press, Eureka, CA.

Desjardin, D.E., Wood, M.G. and Stevens, F.A. 2015. California Mushrooms: The Comprehensive Identification Guide. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

MyCoPortal. 2024. http://mycoportal.org/portal/index.php. Accessed on February 21.

Siegel, N., Vellinga, E.C., Schwarz, C., Castellano, M.A. and Ikeda, D. 2019. A Field Guide to the Rare Fungi of California’s National Forests. Bookmobile: Minneapolis, MN. 313 p.

Wilson, A.W. and Desjardin, D.E. 2005. Phylogenetic relationships in the gymnopoid and marasmioid fungi (Basidiomycetes, euagarics clade). Mycologia 97: 667–679.