Protected Fungal Species 2

Interesting and Protected Fungal Species 2 of the Northern Velebit National Park

Due to the amount of material, the content of the Protected Fungal Species website is divided into three separate and connected websites.

Heyderia abietis – Protected Fungal Species 2

This fungus is a decomposer living exclusively on fallen spruce and fir needles. Veliki Lubenovac, in the Northern Velebit National Park, is the fourth known locality in which this fungus was identified in Croatia. This relatively rare species is included in the Red List of Threatened Fungi of Croatia, under the Near Threatened category.

Kuehneromyces lignicola – Protected Fungal Species 2

This decomposer living on coniferous tree remains in mountainous regions is scarce throughout Europe, and the only known locality in Croatia is within the Northern Velebit National Park. It develops its fruiting body only in spring and early summer. Kuehneromyces lignicola is included in the Red List of Threatened Fungi of Croatia, under the Data Deficient category, and is strictly protected by law.

Stone milkcap (Lactarius salmonicolor)

This fungus lives exclusively in mycorrhiza – a symbiotic relationship with fir, and develops its fruiting body in late summer and autumn. It is a very common species in fir forest, and its bright orange fruiting body is easily spotted from a distance.

Weeping slimecap (Limacella guttata)

Found in different types of forest, this decomposer develops its fruiting body during the autumn. It is very rare in Croatia, where it has been identified in only three localities, one of which is Northern Velebit. The species is included in the Red List of Threatened Fungi of Croatia, under the Vulnerable category, and is strictly protected by law.

Garlic Parachute (Marasmius alliaceus)

A decomposer living on smaller beech remains (leaf litter and twigs), its fruiting bodies develop from late spring to late autumn. It is one of the most common fungal species in beech forests. It is easily identified for its blackish brown stem and characteristic smell of garlic.

Porcelain Fungus (Oudemansiella mucida)

Porcelain fungus is a parasite and decomposer living on deciduous trees, mostly on beech. It is very common in old beech forests, and its white fruiting bodies are easily discernible from a distance.

Pseudoomphalina kalchbrenneri – Protected Fungal Species 2

This fungus lives as a decomposer in coniferous forests. It is very rare throughout Europe, and its only known locality in Croatia is within the Northern Velebit National Park. Pseudoomphalina kalchbrenneri develops its fruiting body in late summer and autumn. It is included in the Red List of Threatened Fungi of Croatia, under the Data Deficient category, and is strictly protected by law.

Scutellinia cejpii – Protected Fungal Species 2

The distribution of this fungus is limited to alpine and sub-alpine regions where it is found in coniferous and mixed forests. It lives as a decomposer on large wood debris of fir and spruce trees.