Assessment Notes

Justification

Although there are not large numbers of records of Craterellus excelsus it has been reported from Colombia, Guyana and French Guiana, suggesting a wide distribution in northern South America. Within this wider range there has only been limited forest cover loss, and so even though there are very little data available on this species it is tentatively assumed that it is not under significant threat. Therefore, an assessment as Least Concern is given here, but we urge further research.

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Geographic range

This species was first described from Guyana, in its Pakaraima Mountains (Henkel et al. 2009). The species has subsequently been collected from French Guiana (Henkel et al. 2014) and is known from Colombia (A. Vasco-Palacios pers. comm.). This implies a wide range across northern South America.

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Population and Trends

This species fruits in a scattered to caespitose fashion (Henkel et al. 2009). With a potentially very wide range the population size is assumed to be large. Without clearer information on its full distribution it is not currently possible to accurately estimate the population trend.

Population Trend: Unknown

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Habitat and Ecology

This ectomycorrhizal species can be found in association with Dicymbe corymbosa on a variety of soils (Henkel et al. 2009). Fruiting has been reported in the rainy season of May to July (Henkel et al. 2009).

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Threats

Further information is required with regards to its full distribution before an accurate assessment of the threats it faces can be made. However, within the potential wider distribution of the species there is only relatively little forest cover loss (see World Resources Institute 2024).

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Conservation Actions

No conservation action can be recommended at this time without further research. Further research into this species’ distribution and any threats which may be affecting it is needed.

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Source and Citation

Westrip, J.R.S., Liddle, T.A. & Vasco-Palacios, A.M. 2025. Craterellus excelsus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025: e.T269709533A269709535. Accessed on 27 November 2025.

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• Country occurrence