Assessment Notes

Justification

Too little is currently known about the distribution and total population size of this species. Based on current data it appears to be a rare species, but large swaths of habitat have not been surveyed for this species. Therefore, it is assessed as Data Deficient.

---

Taxonomic notes

Described by Buyck et al. (2010), Cantharellus quercophilus differs from typical C. cibarius-like taxa by strong contrast between a pale hymenophore and the darker pileus and stipe. Also it has a strong and rapid yellowing of the context when handled and a distinct purplish-lilac tinge of the sectional context.

---

Geographic range

This species is currently known from two localities in Texas: the type collection from Caldwell, Burleson County (Buyck et al. 2010), and two observations on Mushroom Observer from Washington County, around 40 miles from the type collection. Two voucher collections which were sequenced (MyCoPortal 2021) and additional photographic records (Mushroom Observer 2021) come from Gainesville, Florida. Oak woodland habitat is nearly continuous between these locations, but extensive study of Cantharellus from the western Gulf Coast region has not turned up any other subpopulations.

---

Population and Trends

Known subpopulations of Cantharellus quercophilus are highly disjunct, and apparently rarely fruit. Repeated visits have been made to the type location in Burleson Co., Texas, since it was collected in 2007, but have not seen it since (D.P. Lewis pers. comms.). Work by D. Lewis and B. Buyck in Texas and the Gulf States has not found it, despite extensive collecting of Cantharellus in the region. Mycologists in Oklahoma collecting in similar habitats has not observed this species. Little is known about the preferred habitat of Florida collections, other that they came from urban areas with oaks. More data are needed to assess trends and habitat requirements of this species.

Population Trend: Unknown

---

Habitat and Ecology

Cantharellus quercophilus is ectomycorrhizal with oaks, and possibly other hardwoods. The type collection was found in Post Oak (Quercus stellata) savanna in sandy soil (Buyck et al. 2010). The Florida collections were under oak (Quercus spp.) in sandy soil, in an urbanized area. Cantharellus quercophilus remains poorly known, more data are needed to better understand habitat requirements and ecological constraints.

---

Threats

Cantharellus quercophilus is a mycorrhizal fungus species so is dependent on living host trees for population viability. This mutually beneficial symbiotic association between fungus and plant host roots conveys numerous critical advantages for plant host survival. Mycorrhizal fungi are essentially the uptake organs for many nutrients (i.e. nitrogen, phosphorus) and for numerous micronutrients (i.e. boron, selenium, copper) and play a major role in uptake of water. Severe drought may impact subpopulations due to tree mortality. Another problem is the destruction of habitat due to feral hogs and cattle grazing; especially problematic at the Texas locality. Development and urbanisation of habitat near the Florida locality could lead to loss of suitable habitat.

---

Conservation Actions

There is a need to identify and protect subpopulations. Targeted surveys are needed for Cantharellus quercophilus in Post Pak woodlands through eastern Texas and Oklahoma, and oak woodlands in Florida.

---

Use and Trade

Most Cantharellus species are edible, but this species is likely too rare to be targeted by foragers.

---

Source and Citation

Lewis, D.P. & Siegel, N. 2022. Cantharellus quercophilus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T95384421A198624624. Accessed on 22 November 2025.

---

• Country occurrence