Hydnaceous fungi in Central Europe
with special regard to the Czech Republic and Slovakia

 
Petr Hrouda
 
Department of Botany and Zoology (formerly Department of Botany),
Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic

 
As this page was last updated on 12 May 2008, the data presented here are somewhat obsolete. If you still want to use it as data source (being a comprehensive set of information, which would otherwise be scattered in various sources), I recommend to indicate the year 2008 in the citation.

 
 


INTRODUCTION

Systematic classification of studied genera

Division: Basidiomycota, class: Basidiomycetes, subclass: Agaricomycetidae, order: Thelephorales, family: Bankeraceae, resp. order: Cantharellales, family: Hydnaceae (genus Hydnum).
Source: 9th edition of Dictionary of the Fungi (Kirk et al. 2001); on the other hand, according to Pegler et al. (1997), only genera Bankera and Phellodon belong to the family Bankeraceae, whereas genera Hydnellum and Sarcodon belong to Thelephoraceae.
The page includes neither the less relative genera of families Auriscalpiaceae, Hericiaceae nor other genera with a hydnoid (spiny) hymenophore (resupinate and gelatinous types).


Historical outline

...the genus Hydnum L., which was completely unnatural and included not by a long way similar forms, which have the only common feature: hymenium on conoid outgrowths." The original genus is characterized in this way in Cejp’s Monografie Hydnaceí republiky Československé (Cejp 1928), where relatively exhaustive outline of development of opinions on this group is given, although influenced by the fact that Cejp in his work did not take an interest in genera Calodon and Sarcodon (see later). Larger part of following outline (till 1928) is adopted from this work and supplied by later taxonomic changes and knowledge of later authors. At first preliminary statement must be corrected - Linnaeus (1753) described only the species Hydnum auriscalpium, Hydnum imbricatum, Hydnum repandum and Hydnum tomentosum - all stipitate species; wide-ranging species Hydnum including also fruticulose, resupinate or even gelatinous types is a work of his followers. Fries (1821), as well as authors before him (although for example Albertini and Schweinitz (1805) already separated stipitate types to sub-generic group Hydna), presented one large genus Hydnum. But he presented intrageneric division as well; terrestric stipitate hydnums he placed into group Mesopus. Many later authors adhered to Fries’s division (at least partially, concerning terrestric stipitate genera; resupinate and lignicolous genera were completely separared as independent during 19th century) also in the period when many independent genera already promoted as valid. This period came with works of Karsten, Quélet and others. Karsten correctly differentiated genera Hydnellum, Phellodon, Sarcodon and Tyrodon (species of today’s genera Bankera and Hydnum belonged to this genus) in the years 1879-1882, but a few years later he accepted the genus Calodon in Quélet’s interpretation. Quélet included the species of Karsten’s genera Hydnellum and Phellodon into this genus; Karsten at first regraded to this genus only the species of the genus Hydnellum, but later he assigned also the species of the genus Phellodon, which he degraded to subgenus of the genus Calodon. Further author, who made taxonomic changes, was Schroeter (1888), who divided the genus Hydnum into 6 subgenera (including subgenera Tyrodon P.  Karst. and Phellodon P.  Karst.) and besides it he created two new own genera; Phaeodon J.  Schroeter included brown-spored species of former genera Calodon and Sarcodon - this division was followly taken over by Hennings. Also Patouillard (1887) divided the white-spored genus Hydnum (he placed it among genera of the group Leucospori) and the "colour-spored" Sarcodon and Calodon (from the group Chromospori), but still in the scope of one family Hydnaceae.
Patouillard (1900) already ranked side by side families Hydnaceae and Thelephoraceae. The number of correct (resp. today considered as correct) taxonomic inerpretations increased in the beginning of 20th century and american authors took over the initiative – Banker (1906) accepted Karsten’s genera Phellodon, Hydnellum and Sarcodon. Almost fifty years later also Americans, Coker and Beers, recognized the difference of some species so far placed into the genus Sarcodon and they described new genus Bankera (Coker et Beers 1951). Their invalidly published name (missing of Latin diagnosis) was followly validized by Pouzar (1955). The last works came from the Netherlands: Donk (1961) described separate family Bankeraceae and 14 years later Maas Geesteranus resumed all present knowledge to so far last monography (Maas Geesteranus 1975). The last change in this group was not taxonomic, but nomenclatoric. Long-standing dispute about the typification of the name Hydnum L.:  Fr. was ended at 13th botanical congress in Sydney 1981, where Hydnum repandum L.:  Fr. was conserved as type species for the name Hydnum L.:  Fr. The name Dentinum S.  F.  Gray is definitively only the synonym of Hydnum, while the brown-spored species formerly placed under name Hydnum must be placed into the genus Sarcodon P.  Karst. and their combinations with generic name Hydnum are definitively only synonyms.


Ecology and phenology


Species of the genera Bankera, Phellodon, Sarcodon, Hydnellum (also Hydnum) are living in ectomycorrhiza with trees. This hypothesis is based on verification at some species (see later) and according to Arnolds (1989) also on circumstantial evidences from field observations.
The occurrence of basidiomes is limited to the direct neighbourhood of living trees (also in areas with dispersed growth). Most other known saprophyte basidiomycetes are not limited to the neighbourhood of trees.
Most of the species have a certain degree of host specificity.
Hydnaceous fungi are never found close to trees which usually do not form ectomycorrhiza in Europe (for example Acer, Aesculus, Ulmus, Fraxinus), although these trees can grow on otherwise suitable habitats.
Many species prefer soils with only a very thin layer of litter and humus. No intensified decomposition of litter (decomposition of lignine) was observed near the basidiomes. In the habitats in the Czech Republic visited in 1991, the thickness of the surface humus layer ranged from 1 to 7 cm, on average between 2 and 5 cm.
The studied species grow mostly on acid, sandy soils (Pegler et al. 1997) - see also the following table describing chemical properties of soils in habitats visited in 1991:
humus layer (3-5 cm from surface)      sandy or loamy soil (deeper than 3-5 cm)
min. average max. min. average max.
pH / H2O 3.1   3.65 3.95 3.75 4      4.2  
pH / KCl 2.2   2.57 2.9   2.75 3.2   3.75
Ca (mg / 100 g) 24.74 63.05 152.97 11.71 13.37 20.40
K (mg / 100 g) 9.41 35.11 82.29 3.80 6.79 11.29
Na (mg / 100 g) 3.68 9.59 13.95 3.68 5.91 8.41
Mg (mg / 100 g) 1.45 7.20 15.50 0.55 1.18 3.58
N (%) 0.39 0.92 1.30 0.09 0.13 0.85
C (%) 25.28 57.71 92.88 0.77 9.29 27.61
The degree of host specificity is different in various species. A small number of the studied species occurs with only one tree species (the species of the genus Bankera), some are associated with deciduous trees (Phellodon confluens, Hydnellum spongiosipes, Sarcodon joeides), most of them are commonly associated with coniferous trees and there is also quite a number of indifferent species.
The ectomycorrhizal relationship was proved in Bankera fuligineo-alba, which was synthetised in pure culture with Pinus banksiana (Danielson 1984). Mycorrhiza of Sarcodon imbricatus, Phellodon niger, Hydnellum peckii and Hydnum rufescens with Picea was described by Agerer (1991, 1992, 1993), resp. Agerer et al. (1996).
Hydnaceous fungi are autumn fungi occurring most frequently from August to October. Under extremely favourable conditions (warm spring, sufficient rainfall) these species can be found earlier (in July, the earliest occurrence recorded 12. VI.), but the number of such records is minimal; also small is the number of later (winter) records (in this case represented by mostly dry, "dead" basidiomes).



Material and methods

Data sources:
  • Revison of material deposited in herbaria (abbreviations according to Hradílek et al. 1992, Vozárová et Sutorý 2001 /CZ+SK/, Index Herbariorum): B (Berlin, D), BP (Budepest, H), BRA (Bratislava, SK), BREM (Bremen, D), BRNM, BRNU (Brno, CZ), CB (České Budějovice, CZ), DR (Dresden, D), FMM (Frýdek-Místek, CZ), GLM (Görlitz, D), GJO, GZU (Graz, A), HBG (Hamburg, D), IB (Innsbruck, A), JE (Jena, D), KR (Karlsruhe, D), KRAM (Kraków, PL), LI (Linz, A), LIM (Liberec, CZ), LIT (Litoměřice, CZ), LOD (Lódź, PL), LZ (Leipzig, D), M (München, D), MJ (Jihlava, CZ), MSTR (Münster, D), OLM, OLP (Olomouc, CZ), OP (Opava, CZ), OSM (Ostrava, CZ), OVMB (Bruntál, CZ), PL (Plzeň, CZ), PRC, PRM (Praha, CZ), STU (Stuttgart, D), W, WU (Wien, A), WA (Warszawa, PL), WRSL (Wroclaw, PL). Special thanks belong to Josef Herink, who kindly offered not only material from his private herbarium, but also records of more finds not deposited in his herbarium.
    The basic characters by which critical species are distinguished: spore morphology, presence or absence of clamp-connections on hyphae and colour reaction of the flesh in KOH.
  • Literature sources: The following journals have been excerpted: Czech Mycology (formerly Česká mykologie), Mykologický sborník - Časopis čs. houbařů, Mykologické listy (CZ), Spravodajca slovenských mykológov (SK), Mikológiai Közlemények Clusiana (H), Österreichische Zeitschrift für Pilzkunde (A), Zeitschrift für Mykologie (formerly Zeitschrift für Pilzkunde), Regensburger Mykologische Schriften, Hoppea, Südwestdeutsche Pilzrundschau, Boletus, Mykologisches Mitteilungsblatt, Westfälische Pilzbriefe (D), Acta Mycologica, Polish Botanical Journal, and Fragmenta Floristica et Geobotanica (PL). Besides many individual records, principal sources of literature data were Velký fotoatlas hub z jižních Čech (Papoušek 2004), Mycoflora Slovaca (Škubla 2003), Verbreitungsatlas der Großpilze Deutschlands (Krieglsteiner 1991), Die Pilzflora des Ulmer Raumes (Enderle 2004), Die Großpilze Baden-Württembergs (Krieglsteiner 2000), Die Großpilze Niedersachsens und Bremens (Wöldecke 1998) and articles by Buchmann (1998), Krieglsteiner (1999, 2004) and Otto (1989, 1992, 1997).
    Of course, the page does not present a complete survey of the occurrence of stipitate hydnums in the region. As it is based on the study of material from selected herbaria and literature sources, some further material and data certainly remains omitted, but the selection contains the largest herbarium collections and this should provide a general view of the situation in the whole region.

  • The studied species are treated as follows:
  • The introduction of the special part is formed by the key to the families and genera and by an integral key to all stipitate Hydnums with emphasis on characters for practical identification in field conditions. This key contains stipitate genera including the genera Auriscalpium (otherwise not included in this study) and Hydnum, but excludes resupinate genera or genera with fruticulose basidiomes (Hericium type).
  • In species descriptions practically useful and diagnostic characters were emphasised. Expulsion of liquid mentioned for living basidiomes means guttation, in case of exsiccates it means an expulsion of crystals of unknown composition (Maas Geesteranus 1975). Data from descriptions in literature (Maas Geesteranus 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1975, Nikolaeva 1961, Pegler et al. 1997) were taken over for species which were not even seen as exsiccates; partially the same was done in cases where the number of studied specimens was not regarded sufficiently representative. Spore sizes are given according to Maas Geesteranus (1975).
  • Changes in the occurrence of each species are commented for the 20th century. A common trend in most species in the Czech Republic is a strong increase in the number of collections after the Second World War (either caused by a higher number and increased activity of mycologists or by worse documentation of pre-war finds), followed by a smaller or larger decrease in occurrence approximately after the year 1970 and some "renaissance" of their occurrence after the year 1990. The occurrence changes can be generalised only for the Czech Republic – the occurrence of the studied species in Slovakia is systematically documented too short time (since the beginning od the 1970s) to state any long-time conclusions.
  • Comments on accompanying trees compare a literature source (Maas Geesteranus 1975) with data from Czechoslovak (sometimes also further Central European) records. The author also tried to record changes in the representation of accompanying trees for individual species through time. Most of the species do not show any conspicuous change; if some species show a certain shift in the spectrum of accompanying trees, the usual trend is that: the spectrum narrows, i. e. the fungi are more found with one tree.
  • The distribution data given for each species are not wholly authoritative, because they could illustrate activity of collectors rather than occurrence of individual species (the most investigated regions in the Czech Republic are central Bohemia, southern Bohemia, Bohemian-Moravian Highland and the surroundings of Brno, in Slovakia the northern part from Kysuca to Spiš); the author tried to eliminate this factor in the comments.
    In most species, „recent occurrence“ involves records of the past 30 years. (This is not strictly used in the text and it may somewhat differ in particular species, but in general „recent“ means approximately „since the 1970s“.) The 30-year period might seem long, but the reason is that many regions are not systematically explored and some localities would be omitted if a shorter period was used (although occurrence of the species is still probable there).

  •  


    SPECIAL PART

      Key to the families and genera of Czecho-Slovak stipitate Hydnums
  • 1 ) Amyloid spores; basidiome tiny cochleariform with mostly excentric stipe
  • ... Auriscalpium, family Auriscalpiaceae
    • 1*) Spores non-amyloid; basidiomes of various sizes, minute to relatively large, with ą central stipe
      • 2 ) Spores perfectly smooth, white to ochraceous in mass; basidiome fleshy
      ... Hydnum, family Hydnaceae
      • 2*) Spores verrucose or spiny; basidiome fleshy or tough
        • 3 ) Spores short ellipsoid to oval, spinulose with hyaline wall, white in mass; basidiomes with smell of fenugreek especially after drying
        ... family Bankeraceae
        • 4 ) Basidiome fleshy, never overgrowing branchlets or grass
        ... Bankera
        • 4*) Basidiome tough, often overgrowing branchlets, grass or other objects
        ... Phellodon
        • 3*) Spores regular, moderately to roughly verrucose or spiny with coloured wall, brown or brown-ferrugineous in mass; basidiomes without a smell of fenugreek
        ... genera of family Thelephoraceae
        (according to the Dictionary of Fungi /9th edition/, these genera belong also to the family Bankeraceae)
        • 5 ) Basidiome fleshy, never overgrowing branchlets or grass
        ... Sarcodon
        • 5*) Basidiome tough, often overgrowing branchlets, grass or other objects
        ... Hydnellum

    In the following table the main characters of the studied genera are shown.
    Genus Basidiome Spores Sp. in mass Smell
    Bankerafleshy, terminated growthoval, spinulose, wall hyalinewhitefenugreek
    Phellodontough, indefinite growthoval, spinulose, wall hyalinewhitefenugreek
    Hydnellumtough, indefinite growthirregular, roughly verrucose, wall brownishbrowndifferent in various species - aromatic, farinaceous, graveolent or without smell
    Sarcodonfleshy, terminated growthirregular, roughly verrucose, wall brownishbrowndifferent in various species - aromatic, farinaceous, graveolent or without smell
    Hydnumfleshy, terminated growthglobose to elliptic, smooth, wall hyalinewhite

    The key to the genera and the keys to the species of each genus are either based on obvious characters or on characters invisible at first sight, like characters on spores, reaction with KOH etc., which should provide a reliable and precise determination. But as one does not always have a microscope or chemical reagents at one’s disposal, one more key based on visual macro-characters only (quite often on colours) is given; this is a complete key for the whole studied group. Herewith, cases can be excluded in which a wrong genus determination automatically leads to an incorrect species determination. This key is only for orientation and sometimes leads to a group of species or to probable species.
    • 1 ) Basidiome tiny cochleariform with predominantly lateral stipe
    ... Auriscalpium vulgare
    • 1*) Basidiomes of different sizes and shapes with central stipe (distinct or covered by spines running down to its base)
      • 2 ) Basidiome fleshy, never overgrowing branchlets or grass
        • 3 ) Pileus light orange to orange, with concolorous stipe, spines whitish
        ... see Hydnum: H. albidum, H. ellipsosporum, H. repandum, H. rufescens
        • 3*) Pileus with various brown tints
          • 4 ) Context pink or violet
          ... see Sarcodon: S. fuligineoviolaceus, S. joeides (unknown in Czechia)
          • 4*) Context whitish to brown
            • 5 ) Pileus surface not broken, distinctly velutinous; orange felt on the base of stipe
            ... Sarcodon martioflavus (unknown in Czechia)
            • 5*) Pileus surface smooth or broken, max. slightly velutinous; stipe base without orange felt
              • 6 ) Base of stipe grey-green (or black-green)
              ... see Sarcodon: S. fennicus, S. glaucopus, S. scabrosus, S. lepidus, S. regalis (last 2 unknown in Czechia)
              • 6*) Base of stipe differently coloured
                • 7 ) Surface of pileus breaking up into conspicuous, especially in the centre erect scales at maturity
                  • 8 ) Pileus brown to dark brown; basidiomes lacking smell or aromatic, but never with a smell of fenugreek
                  ... see Sarcodon: S. imbricatus, S. squamosus, S. lundellii (unknown in Czechia)
                  • 8*) Pileus light brown; basidiomes, especially when dried, with a smell of fenugreek
                  ... Bankera violascens
                • 7*) Surface of pileus always lacking conspicuous scales or cracked at the centre into areoles, at most breaking up into appressed squamules with raised tips which may continue towards the margin
                  • 9 ) Context whitish (or chrome yellow where the pileus passes into the stipe - not conspicuous in exsiccates); pileus light to orange-brown with appressed squamules
                  ... Sarcodon versipellis
                  • 9*) Context whitish to brown, without yellow colour; pileus light-brown
                    • 10 ) Basidiome, especially when dried, with a smell of fenugreek
                      • 11 ) Surface of pileus covered with putrefying plant remains
                      ... Bankera fuligineoalba
                      • 11*) Surface of pileus without any putrefying remains
                      ... Bankera violascens
                    • 10*) Basidiome lacking the smell of fenugreek, smell unpleasant
                    ... see Sarcodon: S. lundellii (unknown in Czechia), S. leucopus, S. squamosus
      • 2*) Tough basidiome, often overgrowing branchlets, grass or other objects
        • 12 ) Surface of pileus with more or less conspicuous concentric zones
          • 13 ) Context bright to dark orange
          ... Hydnellum aurantiacum
          • 13*) Context whitish to brown
            • 14 ) Spines light, more or less beige
            ... Phellodon tomentosus
            • 14*) Spines brown to dark brown
            ... Hydnellum concrescens
        • 12*) Surface of pileus without concentric zones
          • 15 ) Cross-section of the basidiome showing blue colours (often in zones)
          ... see Hydnellum: H. caeruleum, H. ferrugipes (unknown in Czechia), H. suaveolens
          • 15*) Cross-section of the basidiome not showing any blue colours
            • 16 ) Young basidiomes sulphur yellowish, older ones olive-green turning black on pressing, mostly more basidiomes grown together; context concolorous
            ... Hydnellum geogenium
            • 16*) Basidiomes coloured otherwise
              • 17 ) Spines grey, grey-brown, grey-beige or dirty white; context black, grey or grey-brown; basidiome, especially when dried, with a smell of fenugreek
              ... see Phellodon: P. confluens, P. connatus, P. niger
              • 17*) Spines whitish, pink, purple-brown, brown to dark brown; context light-brown, brown to ferrugineous or (at H. floriforme) whitish and orange in the base of the stipe; basidiome lacking smell of fenugreek
              ... see Hydnellum: H. aurantiacum, H. compactum (unknown in Czechia), H. concrescens, H. cumulatum, H. ferrugineum, H. floriforme, H. mirabile, H. peckii, H. scrobiculatum, H. spongiosipes, H. tardum


    Bankeraceae Donk

    The family established by Donk in 1961 is currently wholly accepted, but there are different opinions about its content: some authors classify the genera Hydnellum and Sarcodon in the family Bankeraceae (Hansen et Knudsen 1997, Kirk et al. 2001) or Thelephoraceae (Maas Geesteranus 1975, Pegler et al. 1997, Arnolds 2003).


    Bankera Coker et Beers ex Pouzar


    Basidiomes stipitate, pileate. Surface of the pileus at first tomentose, later smooth or broken up into scales, mostly light-brown; stipe concolorous. Spines light-brown to greyish. Context fleshy to tough, non-zoned, white or light coloured, monomitic. Hyphae inflating towards the centre of the pileus, thin-walled, gradually turning to slightly thick-walled and very close together, without clamp-connections. Basidia clavate, 4-spored, without basal clamp-connections. Spores semiglobose to oval, slightly verrucose, colourless. Cystidia absent.
    Type species: Bankera fuligineoalba (J. C. Schmidt: Fr.) Pouzar.
    Key to the Central European species:
    • 1 ) Surface of mature pileus rarely broken into scales, but covered by a thin layer of tomentum, often with remains of overgrown putrefying plant matter; growing under Pinus
    ... Bankera fuligineoalba.
    • 1*) Surface of mature pileus often broken into scales, not covered with a distinct tomentum and lacking remains of overgrown putrefying plant matter; growing under Picea
    ... Bankera violascens.

    Bankera fuligineoalba (J. C. Schmidt: Fr.) Pouzar

    Description. Pileus about 80 mm in width, velutinous, rarely with appressed squamules, pale, whitish, yellow-brown, flesh-brown, brown, the surface tomentum overgrowing remains of putrefying plant matter. Stipe brown, only pale under the spines. Spines pale brown, greyish, with pink hue in young stages. Context whitish, with age and towards the stipe turning brown, not changing colour in KOH. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections absent. Spores oval with small acute warts, 4.7-5.4 x 2.7-3.6 µm.
    Related species. B. violascens is often scaly when old and - most of all - never has any putrefying matter on the surface of its pileus, its context turns olive-green in KOH, it grows under Picea. The species of the genus Sarcodon have no smell of fenugreek and possess roughly verrucose coloured spores of a rather irregular shape.
    Occurrence. Less abundant species with a strongly declined occurrence during the last three decades. In Red List of Czech macromycetes (Holec et Beran in prep.) it is classified in category "CR" (critically endangered).
    Accompanying trees. Literature sources associate Bankera fuligineoalba with Pinus; also in our country Pinus (if specified, always Pinus sylvestris, which seems to be the reason of its absence in high altitudes) occurs in all localities where accompanying trees were recorded, at least as an admixture.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Formerly less abundant over the whole territory of Bohemia and Moravia, recently rare and confined to isolated localities. The low number of records from Slovakia does not allow to draw conclusions on the distribution of this species.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Plzeň region, 2002, leg. ??, coll. L. Zelený, det. P. Hrouda
    • Zliv (CB), Pinus, sandy forest, 20. IX. 2002, leg. T. Papoušek, det. M. Beran (CB; photo Papoušek)
    • Ratíškovice, Pinus, 24. IX. 1999, leg. et det. A. Vágner ut Hydnum albidum, rev. Z. Pouzar 26. 6. 2003 (BRNM)
    Older recorded localities - Czech Republic:
    • Plzeň-Bolevec, Pinus wood, 10. X. 1906, leg. et det. F. Maloch ut Hydnum fuligineo-album (PL)
    • Ruda near Nové Strašecí, "Leontýnino polesí" SW of Ruda, between the site "V chaloupkách" and První luh valley, Picea wood with Pinus, 17. X. 1937, leg. J. Herink sen., det. J. Herink ut Calodon laevigatus, rev. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Sadská, sandy Pinus wood, IX. 1932, leg. O. Zvěřinová, det. A. Pilát ut Sarcodon fuligineo-albus (PRM)
    • Doksy, Pinus wood, 1936, leg. G. Japp, det. A. Pilát ut Sarcodon fuligineo-albus (PRM)
    • Česká Lípa, 1935, leg. G. Japp, det. Z. Pouzar ut Sarcodon fuligineo-albus (PRM)
    • Vrtky, west of the village, planted Pinus wood, 4. IX. 1965, leg. et det. J. Herink, 2. X. 1966, leg. J. Herink, det. Z. Pouzar (both PRM/Herink)
    • Podkost, "Žehrovský les" forest, near the road Dobšice–Kamenice, Pinus nigra wood with Vaccinium and Calluna, 330 m, 24. IX. 1952, leg. et det. J. Herink (PRM/Herink)
    • Kostelec nad Orlicí, coniferous wood, IX. 1950, leg. M. Svrček, det. Z. Pouzar ut Sarcodon fuligineo-albus (PRM)
    • Rožmitál pod Třemšínem, 10. VIII. 1952, leg. et det. A. Pilát ut Sarcodon fuligineo-albus (PRM)
    • Near České Budějovice, planted Pinus wood, leg. ?, det. J. Herink (PRM/Herink)
    • Blanský les Mts., SE slope of Mt. Kleť, Pinus wood, 26. VIII. 1934, leg. Josef et Jan Herink, det. A. Pilát ut Calodon laevigatus, rev. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Cep near Suchdol nad Lužnicí, margin of lake Cepský nový rybník, sandy Pinus wood with Vaccinium, 30. IX. 1978, leg. J. Kubička, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Chlum u Třeboně, near lake Vydymač, Pinus wood with Vaccinium, 30. VIII. 1935, leg. et det. K. Kavina ut Sarcodon fuligineo-albus, rev. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Soběslav, Pinus wood, 20. IX. 1946, leg. R. Veselý, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Soběslav, Karvánky, Pinus wood, VII. 1932, leg. et det. A. Pilát ut Sarcodon fuligineo-albus (PRM)
    • Vlastiboř, Jezárka forest, Pinus wood with Vaccinium and Calluna, 2. X. 1954, leg. F. Kotlaba, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Vlastiboř, Padělky forest, Pinus wood with Vaccinium and Calluna, 24. X. 1954, leg. F. Kotlaba, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Žebrák, Pinus wood, 26. IX. 1954, leg. B. Hřebíková, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Cejle, Mt. Čeřínek, mixed wood (Picea abies, Pinus silvestris, Fagus sylvatica), 700 m, 11. IX. 1966, Jihlava mushroom exhibition (BRNM)
    • Ostrov nad Oslavou, 13. IX. 1960, leg. et det. F. Šmarda (Kříž, Svrček et Šmarda 1961)
    • Vlkov, forest between Vlkov and Katov, Pinus wood, 1. IX. 1957, 16. IX. 1962, leg. et det. F. Valkoun (BRNM)
    • Věžná, Teplá forest, Pinus wood, 500 m, 27. IX. 1946, leg. et det. F. Šmarda (BRNM)
    • Věžná, forest between Věžná and Střítež, 450 m, 27. IX. 1946, leg. F. Šmarda, det. Z. Pouzar (BRNM)
    • Netín, forest "Černochov", VIII. 1912, leg. R. Picbauer, det. P. Hrouda 21. 12. 2004 (BRNM)
    • Dolní Loučky, Falcův mlýn, Picea wood with admixed Pinus, 17. VII. 1969, leg. B. Kasala, det. K. Kříž (BRNM)
    • Strážnice, Přívoz, sandy Pinus wood, 9. X. 1955, leg. et det. F. Šmarda (BRNM)
    • Vidnava, "Kohoutí vrch" hill, X. 1911, leg. J. Hruby, det. Z. Pouzar (BRNM)
    — Slovakia:
    • Bílkove Humence, 15. IX. 1970, leg. Z. Novák, det. I. Fábry (BRA)
    • Kráľova Lehota, between K. L. and Svarín, calcareous soil, Pinus wood, 500 m, 13. VIII. 1982, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. Besides southern Bohemia, it rarely occurs in the neighbouring part of Niederösterreich (Streitbach, 2001, WU), further in central Bavaria (scattered occurrence, few localities in Mittelfranken and the vicinity of Regensburg), southern Baden-Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz (Kaiserslautern, 1988, KR), Niedersachsen (Scheuen, 1967, in Wöldecke 1998), Lusatia (Klitten, 2001, GLM; Cottbus, 2001, LZ; several finds in the 1990s), Brandenburg (Otto 1992), Mecklenburg (Wesenberg, 1976, GLM), northern Poland (Bory Tucholskie, 2000, LOD), northeastern Poland (Zabludow, 1977, KRAM; reserve „Perkuć“, 1977, in Lisiewska 1992) and southeastern Poland (Roztocze near Zamość, 1988, KRAM). Bankera fuligineoalba is a very rare species in Slovakia (see above) and rest of Austria (Rinner, 1979, GZU; Ötztal, 1972, M).


    Bankera violascens (Alb. et Schw.: Fr.) Pouzar
    /synonym: Bankera cinerea (Bull.: Fr.) Rauschert/

    Stephan Rauschert (1988) has proposed the new combination Bankera cinerea (Bull.: Fr.) Rauschert instead of the so far used Bankera violascens (Alb. et Schw.: Fr.) Pouz. He does so in accordance with Bulliard's illustration (Bulliard 1789; Latin description in Bulliard 1791: 309), in which he recognized this species. In this case the description of Hydnum cinereum Bull. relating to the mentioned illustration would be the first description of this species, because Albertini and Schweinitz described Hydnum violascens Alb. et Schw. in the year 1805 (Albertini and Schweinitz 1805).
    Maas Geesteranus (1958) has discussed the possible identity of Hydnum cinereum Bull. with Bankera violascens (Alb. et Schw.: Fr.) Pouz. in reaction to Lundell's opinion that Bulliard's fungus could be Hydnum nigrum var. melilotinum (Quél.) Lundell (= Phellodon niger (Fr.: Fr.) P. Karst.; Lundell 1947: 3) or Hydnum amicum Quél. (= Phellodon confluens (Pers.) Pouz.; Lundell 1947: 1). Maas Geesteranus mentions characters which are corresponding to the genus Bankera or directly to the species Bankera violascens (Alb. et Schw.: Fr.) Pouz. as depicted in Bulliard's illustration:
    — the smooth stipe, with at the most a thin layer of a superficial tomentum ("quelquefois aussi     sa surface est pubescente...") which may bind vegetable debris;
    — the cut specimen suggests that the context is homogeneous;
    — the clustered growth;
    — the general colouring of the carpophore;
    — the pronounced funnelled shape of the full-grown pileus in some of the specimens;
    — the radial striation;
    — the concentrical zones or rugosities in the centre of the pileus;
    — the long stipe, which is unknown in Phellodon confluens, and
    — the colour of its context, which excludes Phellodon niger.
    Maas Geesteranus stresses the spiny "cap" in young stages, which he considers characteristic of the genus Phellodon, as the only character which could raise doubts about the identity of Bulliard's fungus.
    It is however not Phellodon confluens (Pers.) Pouz. and even less Phellodon niger (Fr.: Fr.) P.  Karst. (nobody really ever saw Phellodon niger with pale brown context at all). But it is not a Bankera species either.
    This statement is based on the following facts:
    — the branchlet which is passing through the basidiome is overgrown by the basidiome (picture down left) – this never occurs in the genus Bankera and is characteristic of the genera Phellodon and Hydnellum on the other hand;
    — the stipe swelling in the lower part is characteristic of Hydnellum (the stipe of Bankera violascens is conically tapering in the lower part);
    — the spiny "cap" when young , which is characteristic of the genus Phellodon, can be characteristic of some species of the genus Hydnellum as well;
    — the centre of the pileus is covered by irregular outgrowths evidently accompanied by irregularity of its growth, while the scales of the genera Sarcodon and Bankera are the result of breaking up the originally smooth cuticle.
    These are the reasons why it is not possible to consider the fungi in Bulliard's illustration as representatives of the genus Bankera. This is also why it is not possible to accept Rauschert's combination Bankera cinerea (Bull.: Fr.) Rauschert and it is necessary to preserve the name Bankera violascens (Alb. et Schw.: Fr.) Pouz. for this species.


    Description. Pileus about 80 mm in width, surface smooth or broken into concentrically arranged scales, whitish, yellow-, grey- or flesh-brown, never covered with putrefying plant rests. Stipe brown, without a whitish zone under the spines. Spines pale brown, greyish, pinkish, white or bluish in young stages. Context whitish, brown to grey-brown, turning olive-green in KOH when cut. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections absent. Spores oval with small acute warts, 4.5-5.4 x 4.3-4.5 µm.
    Related species. B. fuligineoalba never has a pileus broken into erect scales and - most of all - the surface of its pileus is covered with putrefying plant matter, its context does not change colour in KOH, it grows under Pinus. The species of the genus Sarcodon have no smell of fenugreek and possess roughly verrucose coloured spores of rather irregular shape.
    Occurrence. Species of moderate abundance, not showing a very conspicuous decline. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "EN" (endangered).
    Accompanying trees. According to the literature Bankera violascens is associated with Picea. This is confirmed by our records with only one exception (Křepice near Vodňany, forest SE of road to Libějovické Svobodné Hory, 500 m a. s. l., planted Pinus wood, 29. VIII. 1934, leg. et det. J. Herink ut Sarcodon infundibulum - but in this locality also Picea occurs). It seems that the species is not only associated with Picea, but it probably mainly occurs in habitats with natural occurrence of this tree.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Formerly not very abundant species in the Czech Republic, today rare in isolated localities; recently known from the Šumava Mts., southern Bohemia (more common here) and the Sázava river basin. From Slovakia only a few collections from recent years (Tatry, Beskydy, Malé Karpaty Mts.) exist.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Hory Matky Boží, hill "Křížovka", Pinus, Picea, 26. VIII. 1991, leg. V. Skalický, det. P. Hrouda (PRM)
    • Horní Vltavice, "Idina Pila" below hill Boubín, Picea, 5. X. 2004, leg. Jiří Burel, det. M. Beran (CB; photo Burel)
    • Note: In two places, the historical occurrence recorded by J. Herink has been recently confirmed at the same or close locality - just from Idina Pila (1949) and from Kochánov (5 km from Nová Ves /see below/, 1941).
    • Černý Kříž, right side of arterial way, wet Picea forest, 15. IX. 2002, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Žofina Huť, hill "Jezevčí kopec", 500 m, Q 7255a, Picea abies, 22. IX. 1991, leg. et det. Zdeněk Kluzák (LI)
    • Kaplice, manor "U Schlöterů" (2 km SSE of Kaplice), Picea, Pinus, admixture Fagus, 30. VII. 2004, leg. K. Opelka, det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Košice, "Planský les" forest, site "Bažantnice", 420 m, Q 6654d, Pinus, 6. IX. 1997, leg. P. Špinar, det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Hlinice, "Velký Hutecký les" forest, 450 m, Q 6554c, N 49°26'30" E 14°44', Picea abies, 14. IX. 1991, leg. et det. M. Beran (PRM); 6. IX. 1996, leg. Jiří Valter, det. J. Valter et M. Beran (LI); 23. VIII. 1997, leg. P. Špinar ut Hydnellum sp., det. P. Hrouda 8. 8. 2005 (CB); Picea, Pinus, 31. VII. 2001, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB; cit. in Papoušek 2004)
    • Nová Ves near Světlá nad Sázavou, Picea, 3. IX. 1995, leg. B. Buček, det. F. Kotlaba (PRM)
    — Slovakia:
    • Klokočov, part Hlavica (Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts.), near the village, 650 m, Picea, 25. IX. 1991, leg. J. Lederer, det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    Localities recorded in the 1980s - Czech Republic:
    • Srní, 500 m N of chalet "Turnerova chata", right bank of Vydra river, Pinus, Picea, 11. IX. 1987, leg. et det. A. Lepšová (CB)
    • Soběnov, foot of hill Kohout, Picea, 17. IX. 1985, leg. P. Sysel, det. F. Tondl (CB)
    • Hlinice, "Velký Hutecký les" forest, 450 m, Q 6554c, Picea, 2. X. 1983, leg. et det. J. Valter (LI); 1 km east of the village, 440 m, Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, sandy soil, 28. VIII. 1985, leg. et det. M. Beran (LI)
    • Nedvědice, near the old quarry, Picea abies, 17. X. 1982, leg. L. Jankovský, det. Z. Pouzar (BRNM)
    — Slovakia:
    • Podbanské, Kokavský most (4 km NE of Liptovská Kokava), slope of hill "Hluchanka", 870 m, Picea, 7. VIII. 1989, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Štrbské Pleso, slope of hill "Solisko", 1350 m, Picea, 14. IX. 1989, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Štrbské Pleso, site "Uhliščata", slope of hill "Spálený vrch", 1000 m, Picea, 14. IX. 1989, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Tatranská Štrba, 900 m, Picea, 5. IX. 1981, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. Bankera violascens is a relatively common species especially in sub-mountainous and mountainous areas. It is known from the Carpathians (Muszyna in Beskid Sądecki, 1964, in Gumińska 1966), southwestern Sachsen (Otto 1992), Thüringen (Friedebach, 1989, LZ; Schleusingen, 1981, JE and B), Westfalen (Krieglsteiner 1991), in southern Germany it more commonly occurs in isolated areas: northern Bavaria, vicinity of Augsburg, Schönbuch and Schwarzwald hills. It is a rather common species in Austria; the only find in Hungary is from the westernmost part of the country (Brennbergbánya near Sopron, 1937, BP).
     

    Phellodon P. Karst.

    Basidiome pileate, stipitate; stipe sometimes shortened because of the spines running down to the base. Predominating colours of the basidiome grey or brown. Surface of the pileus tomentose at first, then fibrillose, ridged, slightly scrobiculate, variously coloured. Stipe concolorous with pileus or darker. Spines variously coloured in different species. Context fibrillose, soft or tough to woody, zoned, monomitic, pale or coloured. Hyphae cylindrical (not inflating), always thin-walled, without clamp-connections in the European species. Hyphae in spines similar, somewhat narrower, also without clamp-connections. Basidia clavate, 4-spored, without basal clamp-connections. Spores semiglobose to oval, slightly verrucose, hyaline. Cystidia absent.
    Type species: Phellodon niger (Fr.: Fr.) P. Karst.
    Key to the Central European species:
    • 1 ) Basidiome with conspicuously black context also in the pileus, with violet hue when young, grey-black to grey at maturity
    ... P. niger
    • 1*) Context of the pileus not conspicuously black (but ochraceous, greyish or white)
      • 2 ) Surface of pileus with darker brown concentric zones on a light-ochraceous to brown ground
      ... P. tomentosus
      • 2*) Surface of pileus without conspicuous concentric zones
        • 3 ) Small basidiomes with dark pileus, light spines and dark, thin, smooth stipe
        ... P. connatus
        • 3*) Basidiomes with beige to brown pileus, concolorous or darker spines, often decurrent to the tomentose base of the stipe; associated with deciduous trees
        ... P. confluens

    Phellodon niger (Fr.: Fr.) P. Karst.

    Description. Pileus about 40 mm in width, young velutinous, older smooth to rough, light-grey or violet in young stages, turning dark to black with age. Stipe tomentose (especially when young), dark. Spines white to blue-grey, grey when old. Context black (dark slate grey after drying), turning blue-green in KOH when cut. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections absent. Spores oval with small acute warts, 3.6-4.5 x 2.7-3.5 µm.
    Related species. The context of P. confluens does not turn blue-green in KOH; this species grows in deciduous woods only. P. connatus is smaller, has conspicuously light spines contrasting to the dark stipe and does not have a velutinous pileus. Principal difference: none of the related species have such a black context.
    Occurrence. Although showing decline, this species is still relatively abundant. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "NT+LC" (near threatened + least concern).
    Accompanying trees. Literature sources mention its occurrence in deciduous, coniferous and mixed woods, under Fagus, Quercus, Picea and Pinus; a small number of our collections come from deciduous woods, a large majority comes from coniferous and mixed woods. Picea occurs in 66 %, Pinus in 43 % of localities, but this rate has changed during the 1970s–1980s (Pinus present in 62 %, Picea in 58 % of localities).
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Relatively most finds are concentrated in southern Bohemia (most of recent finds), in the area between Žďár n. Sáz. and Brno in Moravia and in the Tatra-Fatra region in Slovakia.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Povydří (= near Vydra river), between "Čeňkova pila" and Rejštejn, "Dračí skály" rocks, SW slope below the rocks in turning of the river, 640 m, Picea, Pinus, somewhere Abies, rarely Fagus, 3. X. 2001, leg. et det. Jan Holec (PRM)
    • Povydří, between "Hrádecký potok" stream and "Čeňkova pila", N slope of the hill "Baba", 750 m, mossy Picea abies forest with Vaccinium myrtillus, somewhere Sphagnum; lower part of NE slope, 740 m, cultural Picea forest, in needles, both 24. IX. 1998, leg. et det. Z. Pouzar et J. Holec (PRM)
    • Horní Vltavice, NE slope above the Vltava river (former pastures "Hornovltavské pastviny"), 860 m, cultural forest(mostly Picea, somewhere Pinus, Fagus, Betula), with mosses and Vaccinium myrtillus, in needles, 31. VIII. 2001, leg. et det. J. Holec (PRM)
    • Nesměň, Q 7153c, Pinus, Vaccinium, 14. X. 2000, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Ličov near Benešov nad Černou, "Mlýnský vrch" hill SE of the village, cca 630 m, mixed Picea forest, 23. VIII. 1995, leg. et det. František Kotlaba (PRM)
    • Daleké Popelice, 680-710 m, 7253d, Pinus, Vaccinium with Picea admixture, 7. IX. 2002, leg. T. Papoušek, det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Malonty, cca 2,3 km NW of the village, 618 m, N 48°41'50" E 14°33'32", cultural forest, Picea abies, 24. IX. 2003, leg. J. Junek, det. P. Hrouda (BRNU); "Hodonický potok" stream, 630 m, Q 7353a, young Picea forest, 5. IX. 2001 (Papoušek 2004); cultural Pinus forest, 26. VII. 2005, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB; foto Papoušek)
    • Lužnice, "Lužnický vrch" hill, above the road, Picea, Pinus, Vaccinium, 20. VIII. 2000, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Vlastiboř, forest "Spálený bůrek", 430 m, sandy Pinus forest, 5. 9. 1991, leg. et det. M. Beran (PRM)
    • Košice, 2,5 km NNW, "Planský les" forest, 2 km SW of the forester’s house, 420 m, Q 6654d, N 49°20'50" E 14°44'40, Pinus sylvestris, 22. VIII. 1997, leg. Pavel Špinar, det. Miroslav Beran (CB, LI)
    • Smilovy Hory, 620-650 m, Q 6455c, mixed forest, 30. VIII. 2001, leg. A. Černý, det. P. Hrouda (BRNM)
    • Nová Ves near Světlá nad Sázavou, Picea, 3. IX. 1995, leg. B. Buček, det. F. Kotlaba (PRM)
    • Radňov, near mill "Pejcharův mlýn", 510 m, 4. X. 1991, leg. ?, vidi P. Hrouda
    • Těšenov (PE), forest "Holejtna" (S of the village), Q 6658c (N 49°20' E 15°22'), Picea, 5. VIII. 2001, leg. et det. Jiří Novotný (photo JN)
    • Olešnička (ZR), forest "Buková hora", south of the road Kasany–Lískovec, northern slope, 450 m, Q 6563b, N 49°29´40" E 16°19´23", coniferous forest, 13. IX. 2001, leg. Jaroslav Čáp, det. Petr Hrouda 11. 2001 (BRNM)
    • Borotín near Boskovice ("Drahanská vrchovina" highland), "Borotínské čihadlo" north of the village, 450-538 m, Q 6465b, N 49°34´ E 16°37´, Picea abies, 20. VII. 1999, leg. et det. Alois Vágner (BRNM)
    • Ochoz u Brna, reserve "Údolí Říčky" 2 km SE of the village, 320-429 m, 6766c, Quercus, 13. IX. 2001, leg. V. Antonín, det. P. Hrouda 11. 2001 (BRNM)
    • Černá Voda (JE), limestone quarry below "Sokolí vrch" hill, Q 5768b (N 50°18' E 17°10'), Picea abies, Fagus sylvatica, 3. VIII. 2002, leg. et det. H. Deckerová ut P. cf. confluens, rev. P. Hrouda
    — Slovakia:
    • Západné Tatry, "Jalovecká dolina" valley, 2 km NE of the recreational centre "Bobrovec" (fa. Priemstav), Picea, 1996, leg. et det. V. Kabát (Kabát 1997); 1 km NE of recr. centre, 860 m, Picea, 12. IX. 1997, leg. et det. V. Kabát (Škubla 1998)
    Distribution in Central Europe. Comparatively common species in Pinus, Picea, and Fagus forests in Central Europe. Its recent distribution range can be divided into several areas of common occurrence: southern and central parts of Bohemia and Moravia and the neighbouring part of Niederösterreich, Steiermark and southern parts of Ober- and Niederösterreich, and in Germany Baden-Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz and western and northern Bavaria (the Austrian and German areas are connected through southern Bavaria and Tirol, where the occurrence is recently more rare). Surprisingly, the species is almost absent from the Danube river basin – there is about a 100 km wide „zone of absence“ (from Schwaben to Slovakia), which separates the Czech and the German-Austrian parts of the distribution range. In Hungary the species has been collected only in the vicinity of Budapest (Budakeszi, Mts. Budai, 1967-8, BP). In northern areas, Phellodon niger is somewhat less common than in the southern part of Central Europe, recorded in Niedersachsen, Thüringen, Sachsen, Silesia, Polish Carpathians (connected with the central part of the Western Carpathians in Slovakia), and several localities in the northern regions of Poland and Germany.
     

    Phellodon connatus (Schultz: Fr.) P. Karst.
    /synonymum: Phellodon melaleucus (Sw. in Fr.: Fr.) P. Karst./

    Phellodon connatus is the correct name for the species commonly named (and documented in almost all herbaria) as Phellodon melaleucus. The priority of the name Phellodon connatus must be accepted since the shift of the „starting point“ for fungi from Fries 1821 to Linnaeus 1753. The name P. connatus is currently used by Otto (1992, 1997), Krieglsteiner (2000, 2004) and Niemelä et al. (2003).

    Description. Pileus about 25 mm in width, rough to wrinkled particularly in old specimens, whitish, ash-grey, grey to blackish or with brown hue. Stipe smooth, thin (1-5 mm), dark brown, grey, black. Spines whitish to pale grey or brown. Context grey to brown, turning green in KOH when cut. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections absent. Spores oval with small acute warts, 3.6-4.5 x 3-4 µm.
    Related species. P. confluens does not have a stipe with colours different from the spines, its context does not turn green in KOH and grows under deciduous trees only. P. niger has a clearly black context. Both these species lack such a subtle stipe as P. connatus has. P. tomentosus is brown coloured with conspicuous concentric zones (P. connatus has such zones too, but less conspicuous) and its context does not turn green in KOH.
    Occurrence. This species showed a large decline during the 1970s–1980s, but was again found in some places in the Czech Republic in the 1990s. (Has this fungus been overlooked?) In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "NT+LC" (near threatened + least concern).
    Accompanying trees. In the literature its occurrence in both deciduous and coniferous woods is mentioned; a small number of our collections came from deciduous woods, a large majority from coniferous and mixed woods. Picea occurs in 74 %, Pinus in 30 %; currently Picea is more dominating (86 % of localities during 1960s–1980s).
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Formerly in the whole of Bohemia and Moravia except for the northern parts; recently found in southern Bohemia (rather often) and in Brno region. In Slovakia most collections are from the Tatra Mts, scattered occurrence in other regions.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Brdy Mts., near "Červený potok" stream below the ruin "Valdek" (together with Hydnellum concrescens), 16. IX. 2002, not. Oldřich Jindřich
    • Bytíz, 2,4 km south of the vilage (across the road), 550 m, Picea, 15. IX. 1991, leg. et det. E. Lippert (PRM)
    • Povydří (= near Vydra river), between "Čeňkova pila" and Rejštejn, "Dračí skály" rocks, SW slope below the rocks in turning of the river, 640 m, Picea, Pinus, somewhere Abies, rarely Fagus, 29. IX. 2001, leg. Jan Holec, det. Zdeněk Pouzar (PRM)
    • Srní, valley of "Hrádecký potok" stream, central part of the valley, 770 m, mossy Picea abies forest, 7. X. 1998, leg. Jan Holec, det. Z. Pouzar et J. Holec (PRM)
    • Horní Vltavice, "Idina Pila" below hill Boubín, Picea, 5. X. 2004, leg. et det. Jiří Burel (+ photo)
    • Daleké Popelice, 680-710 m, 7253d, Pinus, Vaccinium with Picea admixture, 7. IX. 2002, leg. T. Papoušek, det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Malonty, "Hodonický potok" stream, young Picea forest, 14. IX. 2002, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB); cca 2,3 km NW of the village, 618 m, N 48°41'50" E 14°33'32", cultural forest, Picea abies, 24. IX. 2003, leg. et det. P. Hrouda (BRNU)
    • Lužnice, "Lužnický vrch" hill, above the road (left side), 770 m, Q 7353b, cultural Picea forest, 21. IX. 2002, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Šalmanovice, 475 m, Q 7154b, Pinus, Calluna, Vaccinium, 23. IX. 2001, leg. T. Papoušek, det. F. Tondl (CB; cit. in Papoušek 2004)
    • Hlinice, "Velký Hutecký les" forest, 450 m, Q 6554c, N49°26'45" E 14°43'50", Picea abies, 14. IX. 1991, leg. et det. M. Beran (PRM), 24. X. 1995, leg. et det. J. Valter ut Phellodon tomentosus, rev. P. Hrouda (LI); 20. X. 1998, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB; cit. in Papoušek 2004)
    • Sudoměřice u Tábora, forest "Bernatka", 300 m west of railway station, cultural Picea forest, 28. IX. 1991, leg. M. Beran, det. P. Hrouda (PRM); 2. XI. 2000, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Borotín near Boskovice ("Drahanská vrchovina" highland), "Borotínské čihadlo" north of the village, 450-538 m, Q 6465b, N 49°34´ E 16°37´, Picea and Pinus, 6. VIII. 2001, leg. et det. Alois Vágner (BRNM)
    • Ochoz u Brna (Moravian Karst), natural reserve "Údolí Říčky" 2 km SE of the village, 320-429 m, 6766c, N 49°14'40" E 16°44'50", Quercus, 13. IX. 2001, leg. V. Antonín, det. P. Hrouda 11. 2001 (BRNM)
    — Slovakia:
    • Važec, 1,5 km SE of "Važecká jaskyňa" cave, Q 6985c, Picea, basic soil, 18. IX. 1997, leg. V. Balner et M. Graca, det. A. Vágner (OSM)
    • Važec, hill "Krieslo", Q 6985d, Picea, young stand, 16. X. 1995, leg. et det. J. Lederer ut P. tomentosus, rev. P. Hrouda 22. 2. 2005 (FMM)
    Distribution in Central Europe. Sachsen, northern Bavaria and southern and central parts of Bohemia and Moravia appear to be the only areas, where this species commonly occurs. In the whole surrounding area there are scattered localities (in Fagus and Quercus forests in Hungary, mostly in Pinus and Picea forests in other countries). As there is not any large area completely without this species, it is probable that this subtle fungus is rather overlooked than rare. Also wrong identifications of Phellodon connatus (confusion with any other species of the genus Phellodon) can be recorded in the herbaria.
     

    Phellodon tomentosus (L.: Fr.) Banker

    Description. Pileus about 35 mm in width, velutinous, concentrically wrinkled, brown, ochraceous, yellow-brown or grey-brown, mostly with conspicuous darker concentric zones. Stipe smooth, more or less concolorous with the pileus. Spines white, then pale ochre-greyish, sometimes pinkish in young stages. Context pale, ochraceous, brown in the stipe, not changing colour in KOH. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Spores oval with small acute warts, 3.1-3.6 x 2.7-3 µm.
    Related species. P. connatus does not have a velutinous pileus with such conspicuous concentric zones and its context turns green in KOH. Specimens of this species are sometimes erroneously identified as Hydnellum concrescens (and conversely, too), but Hydnellum concrescens is sienna to umbra brown with dark brown spines and has a context concolorous with the surface of the basidiome. All species of the genus Hydnellum have more roughly verrucose spores lack the smell of fenugreek after drying.
    Occurrence. Abundant species with a relatively constant occurrence. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "NT+LC" (near threatened + least concern).
    Accompanying trees. In the literature its occurrence in coniferous and mixed woods is mentioned; data from the Czech Republic confirm this with a few exceptions. Pinus occurs in 61 % of localities, Picea on 48 %. The rate of collections under Picea grew during the 1970s–1980s (Picea being present in 64 % and Pinus in 46 % of localities).
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. The species occurs in a great part of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the highest density of collections is found in the zone western Bohemia – southern Bohemia – Bohemian-Moravian Highland. Remarkable is the absence of collections from such a well-investigated area as the surroundings of Brno is (but with recent finds from here). In Slovakia scattered occurrence from Záhorie lowland to Bukovské vrchy Mts., recently recorded especially in the Tatra region.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Bytíz, 2,4 km south of the vilage (across the road), 550 m, Picea, 15. IX. 1991, leg. E. Lippert, det. P. Hrouda (PRM)
    • Podolí (SSW of Milevsko), "Křenovický ("Křenský") les" forest between P. and Jetětice, ± 500 m, Picea, Pinus, 6. X. 2001, not. F. Kotlaba
    • Dobřejice, 1,3 km SE of the village, 505 m, Q 6653a, N 49°21'05" E 14°33', Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, 9. VIII. 1996, leg. et det. Jiří Valter (LI)
    • Stálkov, west of the village, 600 m, Q 6957d, N 49°01'40" E 15°16'50", Picea, Pinus, Alnus, 18. IX. 1994, leg. M. Bublová, det. A. Vágner (BRNM)
    • Sudoměřice u Bechyně, 1,9 km SV, "Černická obora" forest, 490 m, Q 6753a, N 49°17'44" E 14°34', Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, 1. X. 1996, leg. et det. Jiří Valter (LI)
    • Daleké Popelice, 680-710 m, 7253d, Pinus, Vaccinium with Picea admixture, 7. IX. 2002, leg. T. Papoušek, det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Malonty, "Hodonický potok" stream, young Picea forest, 14. IX. 2002; cultural forest Pinus, Picea, Vaccinium, 26. VII. 2005, both leg. et det. M. Beran (CB; 2005 photo Papoušek)
    • Řevnov, 0,5 km west of the village, 490 m, N 49°29' E 14°38', Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, sandy soil, 28. IX. 1991, leg. et det. M. Beran (LI); 0,1 km from Ř. in direction to Nový Kostelec, Picea, Pinus, 28. IX. 1991, leg. J. Koten, det. M. Beran (PRM)
    • Jedlany, forest "Doub", Picea, Pinus, 28. X. 1991, leg. et det. M. Beran (PRM); Pinus, dry sandy forest, 2. VIII. 2000, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB; cit. in Papoušek 2004)
    • Hlinice, "Velký Hutecký les" forest, 450 m, Q 6554c, N49°26'30" E 14°44', Picea abies, 6. IX. 1996, leg. et det. J. Valter (LI)
    • Radňov, "Pejcharův mlýn" mill, 510 m, 4. X. 1991, leg. ?, vidi P. Hrouda
    • Těšenov, forest "Smrčina", 610 m, Q 6658a, Pinus, Picea, 14. IX. 1997, leg. J. Novotný, det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Panenská Rozšíčka, forest 1 km south of the village, 590 m, Picea, Pinus, 3. X. 1991, leg. et det. P. Hrouda (PRM)
    • Beranovec, forest "Zadní Poušť" SW of the village, 590 m, Picea, 3. X. 1991, leg. P. Hrouda, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Borotín near Boskovice ("Drahanská vrchovina" highland), "Borotínské čihadlo" north of the village, 450-538 m, Q 6465b, N 49°34'50" E 16°40'10", Picea and Pinus, 13. IX. 1997, leg. et det. Alois Vágner (BRNM)
    • Vsetín, natural reserve "Valova skála", 500 m, Q 6674a, N 49°20'10" E 17°59'40", Fagus, 24. IX. 1994, leg. et det. A. Vágner (BRNM)
    — Slovakia:
    • Klokočov, part Hlavica (Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts.), near the village, 650 m, 25. IX. 1991 (BRA), 5. X. 1996 (FMM), both leg. J. Lederer, det. J. Kuthan ut P. confluens, rev. P. Hrouda 2003, 2005
    • Pribylina (Podtatranská kotlina), 4 km NEE, site "Hrdovo", 850 m, Picea, 17. IX. 1995, leg. et det. P. Škubla (BRA)
    • Važec, near "Važecká jaskyňa" cave, 20. IX. 1996, leg. et det. H. Deckerová ut H. concrescens, rev. Z. Pouzar 26. 6. 2003
    • Nová Polianka, 1,5 km SSE in natural reserve "Mraznica", 940 m, Q 6886d, Picea abies (Vaccinio-Piceetum), 5. IX. 2002, leg. et det. Petr Hrouda (BRNU)
    • Stakčín (Bukovské vrchy Mts.), site "Saligov", slope of hill Vršok, 350 m, Picea, Betula, 24. X. 1991, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. Rather common species in some regions, especially in the southern half of Bohemia, but also in central and south-eastern Austria, the Carpathians (especially in central Slovakia), eastern Poland, Sachsen, and northern Germany (up to Rügen). The species has not been often collected in southern Germany, where there are only scattered localities (as well as in another regions); similarly as Phellodon niger, P. tomentosus is rare in the Danube river basin.
     

    Phellodon confluens (Pers.) Pouzar

    Description. Pileus about 40 mm in width, surface at first tomentose, then rough to broken, whitish, greyish, yellow-brown. Stipe tomentose at base, more or less concolorous with the pileus. Spines pale to grey, in fresh young specimens light-blue. Context pale to grey-brown in the stipe, not changing colour in KOH. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections absent. Spores oval with small acute warts, 3.5-4.5 x 3-4 µm.
    Related species. P. niger has a clearly black context turning blue-green in KOH. P. connatus is more subtle, has a thin, dark, smooth stipe (conspicuously differing from the spines) and its context turns green in KOH.
    Occurrence. Relatively rare species, showing a strong decline during the 1970s–1980s, but it appears that it probably is not so threatened asi it seemed 20 years ago; some new localities have been recorded in the beginning of the 2000s, also in new regions. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "EN" (endangered). The species is also protected by law according to regulation no. 395/92 Sb. in category "critically endangered species" (Antonín et Bieberová 1995).
    Accompanying trees. Literature sources mention its occurrence under Fagaceae (Fagus, Castanea, mostly Quercus), more rarely in mixed woods with Picea and Pinus; records from Central Europe confirm this (Quercus or Fagus in the northern part, Castanea is a frequent accompanying tree in the area of its natural occurrence).
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Rare occurrence, mostly in warm regions (Labe river basin, southern Bohemia, lower altitudes in the Carpathians). Recently found in southern Bohemia, south of Prague, eastern Bohemia and eastern Slovakia. The distribution of this species is limited by the distribution of its accompanying trees, but it was never found in deciduous woods of higher altitudes.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Klec, dam of lake Naděje, Quercus, Salix, 19. VIII. 2001, leg. et det. F. Tondl, T. Papoušek et R. Mašek, rev. Z. Pouzar (CB, cit. in Tondl 2002, Papoušek 2004)
    • Stará Hlína, fishpond "Vyšehrad" between S. H. and Stříbřec, dam on western side, 430 m, Q 6955c (N 49°02' E 14°51'), on grassy way under Quercus and Salix, 23. VIII. 2004, leg. et det. Martin Kříž, conf. P. Hrouda (BRNU)
    • Bohuliby, hill "Horka" near Luka pod Medníkem, Carpinus betulus, Quercus, Fagus, Betula, 27. VII. 2002, leg. Z. Veselý, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Týniště nad Orlicí, near fishpond Rozkoš NW of the town, Quercus, Carpinus, Tilia, 18. VIII. 2001, leg. Václav Matějka, det. Petr Hrouda 16. 8. 2002 (HR; photo no. 45/2001; description: grey-white pileus, grey spines)
    • Trusnov (UO), fishpond Lodrant, mixed forest, 23. IX. 2001, leg. Jaroslav Svoboda, det. Petr Hrouda 16. 8. 2002 (HR)
    — Slovakia:
    • Stakčín (Bukovské vrchy Mts.), valley of river Chotínka, slope of hill Maňov, Quercus (deciduous forest with Fagus and Carpinus), 12. X. 1990, leg. J. Kuthan, det. Z. Pouzar (BRA)
    Older recorded localities - Czech Republic:
    • Praha-Vokovice, valley of "Šárecký potok" stream, foot of the slope on the right bank of the stream between "Džbán" and "Dívčí skok", mixed wood (Pinus sylvestris, Quercus sp., Robinia pseudo-acacia) with grassy undergrowth, 17. VIII. 1939, leg. J. Herink, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Poříčany, Kersko, Quercus wood, IX. 1936, leg. J. Sýkora, det. A. Pilát (PRM), X. 1937, leg. J. Sýkora, det. Z. Pouzar (PRC), 11. X. 1955, leg. et det. Z. Pouzar, 22. VIII. 1965, leg. et det. E. Wichanský (both PRM), 8. X. 1967, leg. et det. Z. Pouzar (Kotlaba 1968); mixed wood, 30. IV. 1944, leg. M. V. Svrček, det. Z. Pouzar, 22. VIII. 1965, leg. E. Wichanský, det. Z. Pouzar (both PRM)
    • Chudoplesy near Bakov nad Jizerou, western margin of "Baba" hill, deciduous wood (Quercus petraea, Carpinus betulus, Tilia cordata, Betula sp., Populus tremula, Crataegus sp.), 10. IX. 1966, leg. et det. J. Herink (PRM/Herink)
    • Obora near Obrubce, "Obrubce" forest, deciduous wood (Quercus petraea, Betula sp., Tilia cordata, Frangula alnus, Carpinus betulus, Populus tremula, Crataegus sp., Molinia caerulea), 240 m, 6. VIII. 1955, 16. VIII. 1958, 16. VIII. 1966, 5. IX. 1970, 5. X. 1974, all leg. et det. J. Herink (PRM/Herink)
    • Sukorady near Hořice, deciduous wood, 2. VIII. 1965, 25. VII. 1966, both leg. L. Rychtera, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Klec, dam of lake Naděje, amongst grass, mosses and fallen leaves of Quercus sp., Populus tremula and Salix sp., 415 m, 20. VIII. 1988, 19. IX. 1988, both leg. T. Papoušek, det. F. Tondl (CB)
    — Slovakia:
    • Svätý Jur, Fagus wood, 21. IX. 1965, 7. IX. 1966, both leg. et det. I. Fábry ut P. amicus, 22. IX. 1966, leg. et det. I. Fábry ut Hydnellum zonatum, rev. Z. Pouzar (all BRA)
    • Malé Karpaty Mts., Kuchyňa, Vývrať, Quercus-Fagus-Carpinus wood, 8. VIII. 1972, leg. A. Dermek, det. Z. Pouzar (BRA, Dermek 1973)
    • Horné Orešany, 30. VII. 1972, leg. B. Matoušek, det. P. Hrouda (BRA)
    • Pukanec, 11. IX. 1897, leg. et det. Andrej Kmeť ut Hydnum cyathiforme, rev. P. Hrouda (BRA)
    • Kluknava, Predná dolina, mossy Pinus wood, X. 1862, leg. et det. K. Kalchbrenner ut Hydnum hepaticum, rev. Z. Pouzar (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. A rare species with some recent collections (Czech and Slovak ones see above). In Hungary, Phellodon confluens is the most frequent species of the genus (latest find: Nagymaros, 1991, BP), which corresponds with the composition of the forests in this country, where deciduous ones predominate. In Austria there are some older records from Niederösterreich and probably the latest finds of this species in southern Germany are from Schramberg (Baden-Württemberg), "Seedorfer Wald", 1997 (KR) and Urspringen (Bavaria), „Hoher Rodkopf“, 2002 (Krieglsteiner 2004), and a few more records (mainly from Oberpfalz). In northern Germany there are recent finds from Westfalen (Tatenhausen, 1987, MSTR), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Parkentin, 2001, GLM; surroundings of Schwerin in the 1990s), Brandenburg (Bad Liebenweda, 1993, LZ), and Sachsen (Bernsdorf, 2000; Mönau, 1999, both GLM). Formerly rare species has been recently recorded in some regions of Poland: Rychwald near Tarnow (1994, KRAM); Łódź, „Las Łagiewnicki“ forest (1974, LOD).


    Hydnellum P. Karst.

    Basidiomes pileate, stipitate; stipe sometimes shortened, because of the spines running down to the base. Surface of the pileus tomentose, fibrillose, ridged, rough or scrobiculate, variously coloured. Stipe tough, concolorous with pileus or not. Spines brown at maturity in most of the species. Context fibrillose, soft or tough to woody, zoned, variously coloured, monomitic. Hyphae rarely inflating, thin-walled to thick-walled, with or without clamp-connections. Hyphae in spines similar, but remaining thin-walled; the presence or absence of clamp-connections on these hyphae and at the base of the clavate 4-spored basidia is connected with their presence or absence in the hyphae of the whole basidiome. Spores of irregular shape, verrucose, tuberculiform or spiny, brownish. Cystidia absent.
    Type species: Hydnellum suaveolens (Scop.: Fr.) P. Karst.
    Key to the Central European species:
    • 1 ) Young basidiome sulphurous yellow, older olive-green, turning black on pressing, the context concolorous
    ... H. geogenium
    • 1*) Basidiome differently coloured, never yellow
      • 2 ) Context showing blue colours when cut
        • 3 ) Base of the stipe conspicuously orange (on the surface and especially in the context)
          • 4 ) Pileus whitish, possibly with bluish hue, turning brown with age; clamps present at least in some hyphae
          ... H. caeruleum
          • 4*) Pileus yellowish to brown coloured; clamps absent
          ... H. ferrugipes
        • 3*) No orange colour in the base of the stipe nor elsewhere on the basidiome
        ... H. suaveolens
      • 2*) Context without blue colour when cut
        • 5 ) Surface of basidiome and also context orange or pale with orange hue; context not turning violet in KOH; base of stipe orange as in H. caeruleum
          • 6 ) Context pale, surface of pileus pale or orange
          ... H. floriforme
          • 6*) Context orange to orange-brown, more or less concolorous with the pileus
          ... H. aurantiacum
        • 5*) Basidiome (respectively pileus) pale, ferrugineous or brown, context brown to ferrugineous; context quickly turning violet (sometimes changing to olive-green) in KOH; if not turning violet, taste pungent
          • 7 ) Surface of pileus brown, rough, wrinkled, zoned or covered with irregular outgrowths already when young, never distinctly roughly hispid
            • 8 ) Taste pungent; hyphae with clamp-connections
            ... H. peckii
            • 8*) Taste mild; hyphae without clamp-connections
              • 9 ) Pileus rather thin, wrinkled and concentrically zoned; sometimes covered with irregular outgrowths; spores with acute or truncate, angular warts
                • 10 ) Spores with truncate, angular warts
                • ... H. concrescens
                • 10*) Spores with acute warts
                ... H. cumulatum
              • 9*) Pileus rather massive (within the basidiome, which might be tiny or massive), nearly always covered with irregular outgrowths (but the previous two species may look similar)
                • 11 ) Spores with rounded warts; pileus and stipe surface smooth, the basidiome is brown coloured already when young
                • ... H. scrobiculatum
                • 11*) Spores with truncate, angular warts; pileus and stipe surface slightly velutinous; young basidiome might be pink coloured
            ... H. tardum
          • 7*) Surface of pileus pale and tomentose when young, might be also roughly hispid; later possible change of the colour to darker (ferrugineous or brown) and/or the tomentum is falling off
            • 12 ) Growth in deciduous forests
              • 13 ) Stipe ferrugineous, pileus pale to ferrugineous; stipe covered with smooth tomentum ("velutinous"); context soft; taste mild
              ... H. spongiosipes
              • 13*) Basidiome pale when young, sometimes yellowish, turning brown with age, possible with olive green hue; basidiome surface tomentose; context tough, compact; taste pungent
              ... H. compactum
            • 12*) Growth in coniferous forests
              • 14 ) Basidiome distinctly hispid, long (also over 1 mm) hairs of connected hyphae standing up of the pileus surface; hyphae without clamps
              ... H. mirabile
              • 14*) Basidiome is not distinctly hispis; stipe might be covered with rough tomentum; hyphae with or without clamps
                • 15 ) Taste pungent; context not turning violet in KOH; hyphae with clamp-connections
                ... H. peckii
                • 15*) Taste mild; context immediately turning violet (sometimes changing to olive-green) in KOH; hyphae without clamp-connections
                ... H. ferrugineum

    Hydnellum suaveolens (Scop.: Fr.) P. Karst.

    Description. Pileus about 75 mm in width, velutinous in young stages, rough, wrinkled when old, whitish, with bluish hue when young, turning yellow to brown with age. Stipe whitish, sometimes with translucent blue tones. Spines whitish to lightly bluish when young, soon turning pink to brown. Context whitish, brightly blue zoned when cut, a thin cut turning blue-green in KOH. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections present. Spores irregularly tuberculiform, not verrucose, 4-5 x 3-3.6 µm.
    Related species. No other species than H. caeruleum and H. ferrugipes have the blue colouring of the context, but that species has a brightly orange stipe base. The odour of H. suaveolens is strong like aniseed (even after 40 years in herbarium - according to J. Herink).
    Occurrence. Formerly abundant species which has recently became rare; similarly strong decrease can be recorded also in surrounding countries, threatened species! In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "CR" (critically endangered).
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions coniferous trees (Picea woods, more rarely other or mixed woods); this is fully confirmed by the Czech and Slovak collections. Picea occurs in 84 % of localities, but the rate of localities with occurrence of other trees (esp. Pinus) is neither negligible. Also the collection from Kersko between Praha and Poděbrady is probably connected with Pinus. During the last 25 years the species was found only in localities with Picea.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. More abundant occurrence formerly in the Bohemian Massif (area of the Czech Republic without the Carpathian Mountains) between Žďár n. Sáz. and Brno, anywhere else rare in isolated localities. Probably the only recent record is from southern Bohemia (Hlinice, see below). In the Carpathians rather abundant until the 1970s, collected here almost exclusively at mountain and sub-mountain altitudes (recently Orava and Nízke Tatry Mts.).
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Hlinice, forest "Velký Hutecký les", 450 m, Q 6554c, Picea, 23. VIII. 1997, leg. et det. P. Špinar (CB; cit. in Papoušek 2004); 2005, not. M. Beran
    — Slovakia:
    • Lutiš in the Kysucké vrchy Mts., 1998 (Škubla 2003)
    • Mútne in the Slovenské Beskydy Mts., 2001 (Škubla 2003)
    • Orava, 2005, leg. P. Škubla (Beran in verb.)
    • Malužiná (Nízke Tatry Mts.), site "Michalovo", 770 m, Picea, calcareous soil, 21. VII. 1999, leg. et det. I. Kautmanová ut H. ferrugineum, rev. P. Hrouda 2003 (BRA)
    Localities recorded in the 1970s and 1980s - Czech Republic:
    • Žďárec near Tišnov, Picea (+ Betula, Pinus), 24. VI. 1972, leg. M. Škárová, det. A. Vágner (BRNM)
    • Rašov near Černá Hora, Picea, 27. VII. 1974, leg. et det. A. Vágner (BRNM)
    — Slovakia:
    • Čičmany, 500 m, Picea, 19. VII. 1970, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Fačkov, 550 m, Picea, 12. X. 1973, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • "Dobročský prales" natural reserve near Čierny Balog, 800 m, Picea 16. VIII. 1972, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Bystrička, hill "Hrádok" 2 km NWW of the village, 620 m, Picea 18. VII. 1972, leg. K. Tolnay, det. L. Hagara (BRA)
    • Štefanová, 750 m, Picea, Larix, 12. IX. 1972, leg. et det. I. Fábry; 6. X. 1974, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (both BRA)
    • Slaná Voda, 850 m, Picea, 28. IX. 1974, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • "Osobitá" hill, slope above "Zatatranská brázda", 1200 m, Picea (+ Pinus), 7. VIII. 1977, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Pribylina, above right bank of Račková river 3 km N of the village, 850 m, Picea, 12. VII. 1986, leg. et det. L. Hagara (BRA)
    • Východná, forest "Krátke", 850 m, Picea, 2. IX. 1978, leg. et det. J. Kuthan, J. et J. Herink (BRA)
    • "Važecké louky" meadows north of the road Východná-Važec, 850 m, Picea, 23. VIII. 1970, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Važec, "Važecká poľana" = "Slamená", 1000 m, Picea, Juniperus, 5. VIII. 1974, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Tatranská Štrba, 850 m, Pinus, Picea, 14. IX. 1974, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. Not a very frequent species, having its principal distribution centres in the mountain areas: central part of the Western Carpathians – beside Slovakia, in Poland it occurs in the Tatra Mts. and the Gorce Mts., individual records are known from the Pieniny Mts. (Gumińska 1972) and Roztocze near Zamość (Vaccinio-Pinetum, 1973, WA) – and the area of Tirol (still rather often collected, 3 finds in the 2000s, deposited in WU and IB) and Oberbayern (Oberstdorf, 1991, MSTR). It appears to have a scattered occurrence in Austria (the rest of the mountain part of the country, except Tirol) and Baden-Württemberg (mainly in Schwarzwald). The species is very rare in central and northern Bavaria; from another regions of Germany there are only old records (before World War II). It appears that the relatively great decline in occurrence of this species outside the mountain areas (the Alps, Carpathians) is continuing.
     

    Hydnellum caeruleum (Hornem.) P. Karst.

    Description. Pileus about 60 mm in width, without corrugate formations, young specimens softly velutinous, sometimes with light-blue hue, white, turning light-orange to brown when old. Stipe pale, turning dark when old like the pileus. Spines whitish, old brownish. Context pale, blue coloured in the pileus, brightly orange to ferrugineous in the base of the stipe, a thin cut turning (blue-)green in KOH. Context sometimes with (zonations of) blue lines when cut, blue colours may also be seen on the surface of the basidiome where damaged. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections present, scattered on old hyphae. Spores with conspicuous angular warts, 5.4-6(-6.3) x 3.4-4.3 µm.
    Related species. The similar H. floriforme has no blue colours in cross-section. H. ferrugipes differs in yellowish colouring of the pileus and absence of clamps. H. suaveolens has no orange or ferrugineous colours in its context (which is characteristic for the stipe base of H. caeruleum).
    Occurrence. Formerly an abundant species, but rapidly declining since the end of the 1950s; as well as at H. suaveolens, its occurrence is constantly decreasing also in surrounding countries, it is strongly threatened species as well. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "EN" (endangered).
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions mostly coniferous trees, more rarely deciduous woods (Fagus); in our country the species is known almost exclusively from coniferous woods. Picea occurs in 86 %, Pinus in 44 % of localities.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. The species was abundant in southern Bohemia, south of Prague, in the Bohemian-Moravian Highland and in southern Moravia (from Žďárské vrchy to Ždánický les), where the species was relatively common until the 1960s. Then the occurrence decline started, recently the species has been recorded only in southern Bohemia. In Slovakia the species has been found in the region of the Tatras, where it does not show any sign of decline; surprisingly it has always been rare in western and central Slovakia (west and south of the Váh river), which contrasts with the number of records from the Tatra region.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Blansko near Kaplice, 16. IX. 2000, leg. K. Opelka, det. M. Beran (LI)
    • Malonty, "Hodonický potok" stream, Picea, Vaccinium, mosses, 7. VIII. 2001, 6. VIII. 2002, leg. T. Papoušek, det. M. Beran (CB; cit. in Papoušek 2004); cca 2,3 km NW of the village, 618 m, N 48°41'50" E 14°33'32", cultural forest, Picea abies, 24. IX. 2003, leg. J. Junek, det. P. Hrouda (BRNU)
    • Benešov nad Černou, 1 km NE of the village Dluhoště, young coniferous forest, 23. VIII. 2002, leg. K. Opelka, det. M. Beran (CB)
    — Slovakia:
    • Roháče Mts., "Sivý vrch" hill, Picea, calcareous soil, 19. VIII. 1993, leg. et det. P. Škubla (BRA)
    • Važec (Nízke Tatry Mts.), site "Múry", 800 and 950 m, Q 6985b, Picea, 20. and 21. VIII. 1996, leg. et det. I. Kautmanová (BRA, cit. in Škubla 1997)
    • Važec, 1,5 km SE of "Važecká jaskyňa" cave, Q 6985d, Picea, basic soil, 25. IX. 1999, leg. Balner, Graca, Nováková, det. A. Vágner (OSM); 1,5 km south of Važec, NE slope of hill "Krieslo", 930 m, Q 6985d, Picea abies (+ Pinus sylvestris), 7. IX. 2002, leg. et det. P. Hrouda (BRNU)
    • Štrbské Pleso, 0,5 km SSW of "Spálený vrch" hill, 1130 m, Q 6986b, Picea abies (Vaccinio-Piceetum), 5. IX. 2002, leg. et det. P. Hrouda (BRNU)
    Localities recorded in the 1970s and 1980s - Czech Republic:
    • Kaliště near Temelín, Pinus, 11. VII. 1977, leg. et det. J. Kubička (BRA)
    • Cejle, SE slope of hill Čeřínek, Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, Fagus sylvatica, 10. VIII. 1987, leg. Z. Dohnalová, det. P. Vampola (MJ)
    • Velká Bíteš, forest 5 km in direction Tišnov, Pinus, Picea, 27. VII. 1975, leg. M. Volšinský, det. K. Kříž (BRNM)
    — Slovakia:
    • Raková near Čadca, "Korchaň" valley, 650 m, Pinus, 7. IX. 1975; Picea (+ Pinus), mountainous forest, 27. IX. 1978, both leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Nálepkovo, site "Peklisko", 14. VIII. 1970, leg. et det. Matta (BRNM)
    • Štefanová, 750 m, coniferous forest, 12. IX. 1972, leg. et det. I. Fábry (BRA)
    • Podbanské, Kokavský most (4 km NE of Liptovská Kokava), slope of hill "Hluchanka", 870 m, Pinus, 7. VIII. 1989, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Važec, "Kozie chrbty", slope of hill "Múry", Picea, 12. IX. 1979, leg. et det. P. Lizoň (BRA)
    • Važec, hill "Vŕšky", 950 m, mixed forest (Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, Fagus sylvatica, Sorbus aucuparia), 3. IX. 1978, leg. J. Kuthan, J. et J. Herink; Pinus, Picea, 12. IX. 1988, leg. L. Hagara, J. Herink et J. Šutara, both det. J. Herink (PRM/Herink)
    • Važec, "Važecká poľana" = "Slamená", 1000 m, Picea (+ Pinus), 13. VIII. 1977; Pinus (+ Fagus, Picea), 30. VIII. 1980, both leg. et det. J. Kuthan; Pinus, Picea, 13. IX. 1988, leg. P. Škubla, det. J. Kuthan (all BRA); 12. IX. 1988, leg. et det. F. Kotlaba (PRM), leg. et det. P. Vampola (MJ)
    • Tatranská Štrba, 850 m, Pinus, Picea, 11. VIII. 1973, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Štrbské Pleso, "Uhliščata", slope of "Spálený vrch" hill, 1000 m, Picea, 14. IX. 1989, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Nižná Šuňava, 850 m, Picea, 16. VII. 1977, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Lučivná, 600 m, Picea (+ Pinus), 16. VII. 1977, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. Species similarly endangered as Hydnellum suaveolens. Recently it has been mainly collected in the central part of the Slovak Carpathians, in the alpine part of Austria (Niederösterreich, Steiermark, Kärnten) and in the southeastern part of Baden (area east of Schwarzwald). There are scattered localities in the rest of southern Germany (Kochenthal, 1987, in Buchmann 1998), Austria (Reichenstein in Oberösterreich, 2004, LI) and southern Bohemia; its former occurrence has not been recently confirmed in the rest of the Czech Republic and also in Tirol. The species has always been rare in Bavaria (except Oberbayern) and western Bohemia. In the northern part of Central Europe, recent occurrence is confirmed in Niedersachsen (Marwede, 1988; Scheuen, 1967, both in Wöldecke 1998), Thüringen (Nordhausen, 1999, LZ), somewhat older records are known from Sachsen (Deschka, 1975, GLM), Schleswig (Kropp, 1966, M), eastern Poland (Zwierzyniec near Zamość, 1966, WA) and Polish Carpathians (Kowaniec near Nowy Targ, 1961, WA). In Hungary, there is only one specimen collected near the Steiermark border (Szakonyfalu, 1958, BP).
     

    Hydnellum floriforme (Schaeff.) Banker
    /synonym: Hydnellum aurantiacum (Batsch: Fr.) P. Karst. sensu Maas Geest./

    Otto (1997) presents the opinion that Batsch’s illustration of Hydnum aurantiacum (on which the basionym of this epithet is based) represents a species with a dark orange context and sometimes concentrically zoned pileus, well-known under the name Hydnellum auratile (Britzelm.) Maas Geest., and therefore the correct name for the species with a light context is Hydnellum floriforme. As I consider his opinion correct, the name Hydnellum floriforme is used in this study as well. Nevertheless, this species is found under the name Hydnellum aurantiacum in all herbaria in Central Europe. These two species are not distinguished in some cases and sometimes they are considered as conspecific; I do not accept this opinion, the subtle dark basidiomes especially from mountain regions are distinctly different than more massive light basidiomes as they are known e. g. from southern Bohemia.

    Description. Pileus about 50 mm in width, at first pale beige to white, turning bright to dark orange. Stipe orange to orange-brown. Spines whitish when young, brown at maturity. Context pale in the pileus, orange in the stipe (especially its base), a thin cut turning olive-green in KOH. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections absent. Spores with conspicuous angular warts, (5.8-)6-6.7 x (4-)4.3-4.9 µm.
    Related species. H. aurantiacum has a dark orange context concolorous with the pileus surface (the context of H. floriforme is pale). H. caeruleum and H. ferrugipes show (conspicuous) blue zones in cross-section.
    Occurrence. Moderately abundant species, in the Czech Republic very rare in the last decades. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "EN" (endangered).
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions different trees, both coniferous and deciduous. Our collections from all localities where the accompanying trees were written down, are associated with coniferous trees. Picea occurs in 66 %, Pinus in 43 % of localities.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Formerly an abundant species in southern Bohemia and the region of the river Sázava, scatteredly growing elsewhere in Bohemia. Recently known probably only from southern Bohemia; the last record from Moravia dates from 1966. In Slovakia it is not rare at higher altitudes, not showing any signs of decline.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Dobřejice, 2,1 km SE of village, forest "Kukle", 480 m, Pinus, Picea, Betula, 31. VIII. 1991, leg. J. Valter, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM, LI)
    • Blansko near Kaplice, hill "Hradišťský vrch", 700 m, Q 7253c, N 48°44’35" E 14°32’15", Pinus sylvestris, Picea, Betula, 18. VIII. 1997, leg. et det. K. Opelka (CB, LI)
    • Malonty, "Hodonický potok" stream, 635 m, Q 7353a, Picea, Sphagnum, Vaccinium, young forest, 6. VIII. 2002, leg. T. Papoušek, det. M. Beran (CB; cit. in Papoušek 2004); Pinus, Picea, Vaccinium, cult. forest, 26. VII. 2005, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB; photo Papoušek)
    • Daleké Popelice, 680-710 m, Q 7253d, Pinus, Vaccinium (+ Picea), 7. IX. 2002, leg. T. Papoušek, det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Lužnice, "Lužnický vrch" hill, W slope, 29. VII. 2002, leg. et det. T. Papoušek; 735 m, Q 7353b, Picea, young forest, 22. VIII. 2002, leg. T. Papoušek, det. M. Beran (Papoušek 2004); below the road, Picea, Pinus, 25. VIII. 2002, leg. et det. M. Beran (all CB)
    — Slovakia:
    • Važec, "Važecká jaskyňa" cave, Q 6985, 20. IX. 1996, leg. et det. H. Deckerová ut Hydnellum concrescens, rev. P. Hrouda 24. 6. 2003; above "Važecká jaskyňa" cave, mixed forest, 1. IX. 1999, leg. A. Hájková, det. J. Lederer (FMM); 1,5 km SE of "Važecká jaskyňa" cave, Picea, basic soil, 25. IX. 1999, leg. Balner + Graca + Nováková, det. A. Vágner (OSM); hill "Krieslo", Q 6985d, Picea, young forest, 16. X. 1995, leg. et det. J. Lederer (FMM)
    • Jalová, 300 m above northern bank of water reservoir "Starina", mixed forest, 16. IX. 1996, leg. S. Graca, det. T. Kukulka ut H. concrescens, rev. P. Hrouda 21. 2. 2005 (OSM)
    Localities recorded in the 1980s - Czech Republic:
    • Klení, 1,3 km E of village, 620 m, Pinus + Picea, Vaccinium, mosses, 7. III. 1988, leg. J. Papoušková, det. T. Papoušek (CB)
    — Slovakia:
    • Veľké Uherce, 3 km S of the village, 350 m, Picea in Picea-Quercus forest, 12. IX. 1981, leg. et det. L. Hagara (BRA)
    • Bystrička, northern slope of limestone hill "Dubový diel" 2 km SW of the village, 580 m, Picea, 14. VII. 1984, leg. et det. L. Hagara (BRA)
    • Pribylina, site "Hrdovo" 5 km NE of the village, 900 m, Picea, 20. VIII. 1984, leg. et det. P. Škubla (BRA)
    • Podbanské, Kokavský most (4 km NE of Liptovská Kokava), slope of hill "Hluchanka", 900 m, Picea, 16. IX. 1989, leg. et det. P. Škubla (BRA)
    • Važec, hill "Vŕšky", 950 m, Pinus, Picea, 12. IX. 1988, leg. et det. J. Herink (PRM/Herink); "Važecká poľana" = "Slamená", 1000 m, Pinus, Picea, 12. IX. 1988, leg. et det. P. Vampola (MJ); Picea, 13. IX. 1988, leg. et det. P. Škubla (BRA)
    • Liptovská Teplička, site "Kolesárky", valley of Čierny Váh river, 900 m, Pinus, 11. IX. 1988, leg. G. Saupe, det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Štôla, 900 m, Picea mountain forest, 18. X. 1980, leg. H. Deckerová, det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. There are great differences in the occurrence of this species in particular countries. Hydnellum floriforme is recently rather common in Austria, especially in eastern Kärnten and southern Steiermark, and the zone of localities continues through southern Oberösterreich and Salzburg to Berchtesgaden in Germany; recent localities have also been discovered in Tirol and Osttirol. Besides, there are two more distribution centres of this rather rare species – southern Bohemia together with the neighbouring part of Niederösterreich and the Carpathian mountains in Slovakia and Poland (Zarębek Średni, 1963, KRAM, cit. in Wojewoda 1964; Kowaniec, 1961, Zakopane, 1963, both WA). Further documented localities in Poland are in Puszcza Augustowska (reserves „Starożyn“, 1977, and „Perkuć“, 1974, KRAM), formerly H. floriforme occurred also in Silesia. In Germany (beside the Alps), the species is not common, occurring above all in the Schwarzwald region and northern Bavaria; former occurrence in Sachsen, Thüringen (see also note at H. aurantiacum), Sachsen-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Hessen and Saarland (last three in Krieglsteiner 1991).
     

    Hydnellum aurantiacum (Batsch: Fr.) P. Karst. em. Otto
    /synonym: Hydnellum auratile (Britzelm.) Maas Geest./

    Description. Pileus about 25 mm in width, rough, wrinkled to concentrically ridged, orange to light orange-brown, sometimes with concentric, not clearly delimited zones of appressed squamules of a bright orange (to red) colour on a darker (browner) ground; basidiomes subtle. Stipe concolorous with the pileus. Spines mostly brown. Context more or less concolorous with pileus, a thin cut turning olive-green in KOH. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections absent. Spores with conspicuous angular warts, 4.9-5.8 x 3.6-4.5 µm.
    Related species. H. floriforme has the context paler than the surface (except for young specimens) and lacks the mentioned squamules on the pileus surface. The shape is similar to H. concrescens, but this species is brown on the surface and also inside, without any orange hue.
    Occurrence. Very rare species. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "CR" (critically endangered).
    Accompanying woods. The literature mentions both coniferous and deciduous trees (Picea, Fagus); our collections are mostly from Picea woods.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Rare occurrence in isolated localities.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Vlastiboř, forest part "V Horkách", 430 m, sandy Pinus wood with Calluna and Vaccinium, 20. IX. 1991, leg. P. Hrouda, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    Older recorded localities - Czech Republic:
    • Mnichovice, VII. 1936, leg. J. Velenovský, det. P. Hrouda (PRC)
    • Partutovice, coniferous wood, IX. 1936, leg. et det. F. Petrak ut H. aurantiacum, rev. R. A. Maas Geesteranus (Maas Geesteranus 1964, Kubička 1965), rev. P. Hrouda (PRM)
    — Slovakia:
    • Važec, "Važecká poľana" ("Slamená"), 1000 m, mixed Picea wood, 12. IX. 1988, leg. F. Kotlaba, det. F. Kotlaba et J. Lazebníček ut H. aurantiacum, rev. P. Hrouda (PRM)
    • Vavrišovo near Liptovský Hrádok, Picea wood, 15. VIII. 1974, leg. A. Dermek, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM, BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. It is very rare in the whole area. Beside Czechia and Slovakia, there are only isolated localities in Austria, Tirol (Brandenberg, 1998, in Peintner et al. 1999), Kärnten (Bodental, 1977, GZU; St. Margareten, 1998, in Hausknecht et al. 2000), Niederösterreich (Bad Fischau, 1984, WU), Oberösterreich (Gosau, 1989, LI), and Germany, Baden-Württemberg (Tuttlingen, 1969; Oberkochen, 1975; Waldenbuch, 1980, all STU), Bayern (Mühlbach, 1994, STU, cit. in Krieglsteiner 1999, and Kochenthal, 1987, in Buchmann 1998), Thüringen (in Fagus forests: Bleiderode, 2002, LZ; Bleicherode, 2002, LZ, and 1993, GLM), Sachsen-Anhalt (Allstedt, 1979, GLM), and Niedersachsen (Osterwald, Königskanzel, 1993 and 1996, in Wöldecke 1998). Some specimens from the Thuringian localities represent typical H. aurantiacum, whereas lighter ones look somewhat like H. floriforme – of course, presence of both species in the region cannot be excluded. I do not accept the opinion that these two species are conspecific, see discussion at H. floriforme. Occurrence of H. aurantiacum in Poland has not been confirmed, although it is rather probable (according to its occurrence in the Slovak side of the Carpathians).
     

    Hydnellum peckii Banker
    /synonym: Hydnellum diabolus Banker/

    If all basidiomes with an acrid taste of the context are identified as Hydnellum peckii (according to Maas Geesteranus 1975), then it seems to be a very variable species. On the other hand, some authors are of the opinion that it contains two confused species. According to Harrison et Grund (1987a, 1987b), mature basidiomes of Hydnellum peckii s. str. have a darker, sometimes ridged or scrobiculate pileus with a smooth surface (somewhat similar to H. scrobiculatum), whereas the separate species Hydnellum diabolus is characterised by a velutinous pileus (possibly it represents the type which looks like Hydnellum ferrugineum). Pouzar (in verb.) also mentioned a difference between velutinous basidiomes from Pinus forests and scrobiculate ones, typically growing in Picea forests. Stalpers (1993) presents a difference of these species in the presence of clamps in stipe and pileus trama - present on all primary septa in H. peckii versus scattered in H. diabolus. Nevertheless, the last mentioned character is discutable, because only scattered clamps can be seen in the trama of the scrobiculate basidiome; further study, including molecular methods, might solve this problem. In this study, Hydnellum peckii is still considered in a wide sense.

    Description. Pileus about 50 mm in width, at first whitish, the type H. diabolus velutinous, later turning dark, ferrugineous to brown; the type H. peckii s. str. turns up to dark brown and soon becomes roughly fibrillose. Stipe concolorous. Spines whitish when young, turning brown with age. Context pale to brown, darker in the stipe, not changing colour in KOH. Red drops of expulsed liquid may appear on the surface of the young pileus. Clamp-connections present. Spores with conspicuous angular warts, 4.9-5.4 x 3.8-4 µm.
    Related species. H. ferrugineum has a mild taste (H. peckii is sharp even as an exsiccate), its context turns violet in KOH and it lacks clamp-connections. This also counts for H. spongiosipes, which in addition grows only in deciduous woods. H. concrescens and related species have their pileus, stipe, spines and context approximately equally brown, and they also lack clamp-connections.
    Occurrence. Moderately abundant species, showing gradual decline. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "EN" (endangered).
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions coniferous trees (Picea, Pinus); Czech and Slovak records confirm this, coniferous trees are present in all localities. Pinus occurs in 67 %, Picea in 55 % of localities.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. The species has two centres in the former Czechoslovakia - southern Bohemia (the type H. diabolus) and the central part of the Slovak Carpathians (the type H. peckii s. str.) - where it still occurs. Isolated localities in another regions.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Horní Vltavice, natural reserve "Boubínský prales" between hills Pažení and Boubín, near "Kaplické jezírko" lake, E slope, 940 m, Picea, Abies, Fagus 2.  X.  2001, leg. Jan Holec, det. Zdeněk Pouzar (PRM)
    • Velmovice near Chýnov, 1,5 km of the village, forest "Dubské vrchy", Q 6554d, N 49°26’10" E 14°47’30", Picea, 7. VIII. 2002, leg. et det. P. Špinar (CB)
    • Trčkov, wet Picea forest 100 m n of "Velká louka", 25. IX. 2002, leg. Jan  Wipler, det. P.  Hrouda, rev. Z.  Pouzar 26.  6.  2003 (HR; photo)
    • Slatina nad Zdobnicí, 1,5 km NW of the village centre, Picea, 26.  IX.  2002, leg. Jar.  Dudek, det. P.  Hrouda, rev. Z.  Pouzar 26.  6.  2003 (HR; photo)
    • Borotín near Boskovice, Picea, Pinus, Larix, 15.  IX.  2002, leg. A.  Vágner, det. P.  Hrouda (BRNM)
    • Žďárec (BO), cca 2 km SE of the village on the hill above the Libochovka river, 460 m, Q 6663b, Picea, young stand, 28. VIII. 2005, leg. et det. Zuzana Bieberová
    — Slovakia:
    • Turzovka, Beskydy Mts., Picea, 22. VIII. 2000, leg. T. Kučera, det. P. Hrouda 18. 12. 2001 (BRNM)
    • Klokočov, part Hlavica (Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts.), near the village, 650 m, Picea, 25. IX. 1991, leg. J. Lederer, det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Habovka, "Vrlôvka", 900m, N 49°17’ E 19°41’, Picea (+ young Fagus), 24. VII. 2005, leg. H. Deckerová, det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Vyšné Hágy, 1  km south, 1000  m, Q  6886d, Picea abies (together with Sarcodon glaucopus), 5.  IX.  2002, leg. et det. Petr Hrouda (BRNU)
    • Stakčín (Bukovské vrchy Mts.), site "Saligov", slope of hill "Vršok", 350 m, Picea, Betula, 24. X. 1991, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    Localities recorded in the 1980s - Czech Republic:
    • Kaliště near Temelín, Picea, Pinus, 19. IX. 1984, leg. et det. J. Kubička (CB)
    • Vrábče, 1 km SW of railway stop, Pinus, 30. VIII. 1985, leg. J. Klimeš, det. Z. Kluzák (CB)
    • Suchdol nad Lužnicí-Tušť, near the road to Halámky, Pinus, sandy forest, 14. VIII. 1980, leg. et det. J. Kubička (CB)
    • Klikov, site "Žabárna", Pinus, 21. VIII. 1980, leg. J. Kubička, det. Z. Pouzar (CB)
    — Slovakia:
    • Klubina, 650 m, Picea (+ Pinu), 14. IX. 1986, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Tatranská Štrba, 900 m, Pinus 17. VIII. 1980, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Dravce, 500 m, Picea 19. IX. 1988, leg. H. Deckerová, det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. The species is rather common in almost the whole of Austria, except the northern part of the country. Here the „zone of absence“ along the Danube river (described for some Phellodon species) is extremely prominent and begins east of Regensburg; this zone separates the Austrian and Oberbayern part of the distribution range from the localities ranging from Schwarzwald through Mittelfranken to Thüringen (vicinity od Stadtilm, 2002, LZ, and 1997, GLM) and Bohemia. In Poland, it is documented from Puszcza Augustowska (reserve „Perkuć“, 1974, KRAM); older records are known from scattered localities in central Poland and northeastern Germany (with Picea as the most frequent accompanying tree). In Hungary, there is only one locality near the Steiermark border (Szakonyfalu, 1958, 1963, BP).
     

    Hydnellum ferrugineum (Fr.: Fr.) P. Karst.

    Description. Pileus about 60 mm in width, whitish and velutinous when young, less velutinous to rough and turning ferrugineous to brown with age. Stipe at its base, particularly in young stages, white to ferrugineous, velutinous, more or less concolorous with the pileus (but not always so), surface tomentose and rather scrobiculate. Spines light brown-violet when young, turning brown with age to dark brown when old. Context ferrugineous brown, a thin cut turning dark carmine in KOH. Red drops of expulsed liquid may appear on the surface of young pilei. Clamp-connections absent. Spores with conspicuous angular warts, (5.4-)5.8-6.3 x 3.6-4.5 µm.
    Related species. The context of H. peckii is pungent even after drying, does not turn violet in KOH, and contains clamp-connections. H. spongiosipes has a homogeneous tomentum on the stipe, nearly spiny spores (the warts on the spores of H. ferrugineum have truncate apices) and grows in deciduous woods. H. caeruleum (older basidiomes might look like H. ferrugineum) clearly differs when cut, it has well visible blue zones inside.
    Occurrence. Still relatively abundant species. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "NT+LC" (near threatened + least concern).
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions coniferous trees (Picea, Pinus, Abies), rarely mixed and deciduous woods; our collections confirm this. Pinus occurs in 66 %, Picea in 38 % of localities; the rate of localities where Pinus occurs grew to 79 % during the last 30 years.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. The centre of its distribution is situated in southern Bohemia, scattered localities in another regions. In Slovakia this species is not very abundant, it was particularly found below the Tatra Mountains, but it is evident that higher altitudes are not typical of it.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Bytíz, 2,4 km south of the vilage (across the road), 550 m, Picea, 15. IX. 1991, leg. et det. E. Lippert (PRM)
    • Zbelítov, forest "Spálená" (0,5 km NNE of the village), Q 6552a, Picea abies, in 1995-1997, not. M. Timoranská (Timoranská 2000)
    • Řevnov, 0,5 km west of the village, 490 m, N 49°29' E 14°38'; 0,1 km in direction to Nový Kostelec, both Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, sandy soil, 28. IX. 1991, leg. et det. M. Beran (LI; PRM)
    • Hlinice, "Velký Hutecký les" forest, 450 m, Q 6554c, Picea, 14. IX. 1991, leg. et det. M. Beran (PRM); 10. VIII. a 19. IX. 2001, leg. P. Špinar, det. M. Beran (CB; phjto Špinar)
    • Nová Ves, forest "Černická obora" 3,2 km SE of Sudoměřice, 435 m, Q 6753a, N 49°15'46" E 14°33'37", Picea abies, clay loam, 1. X. 1996, leg. et det. J. Valter (LI)
    • Vlastiboř (TA), site "Šmelcovna" SE of the village, Pinus, Vaccinium, sandy soil, 3. IX. a 20. IX. 1991, leg. et det. P. Hrouda; 22. IX. 2000, leg. et det. František Kotlaba (PRM); site "Kouty" near "Šmelcovna", Pinus, Vaccinium, sandy soil, 6. X. 1991, not. F. Kotlaba ut H. velutinum; forest "Herolnice", Pinus, Vaccinium, sandy soil; forest "Spálený bůrek", Pinus, sandy soil, both 5. IX. a 20. IX. 1991, all leg. et det. P. Hrouda (PRM)
    • Srní, between "Hrádecký potok" stream and "Čeňkova pila", lower part of NE slope, 740 m, cultural Piucea forest, Pinus sylvestris, 24. IX. 1998, leg. Jan Holec, det. Zdeněk Pouzar (PRM)
    • Třebovice (military area Boletice), 690 m, Q 7150b, Pinus, Calluna, Vaccinium, 20. X. 2002, leg. et det. T. Papoušek (CB); west of the village, near quarry, N 48°53'45" E 14°08', Pinus, 6. X. 2004, leg. et det. O. Jindřich
    • Blansko near Kaplice, 1 km NE, hill "Hradišťský vrch", 700 m, Q 7253c, N 48°44'35" E 14°32'15", Pinus sylvestris (+ Picea, Betula), 18. VIII. 1997, leg. K. Opelka, det. M. Beran (LI); Picea, Pinus, Betula, 7. IX. 1997, leg. et det. K. Opelka (CB)
    • Malonty, "Hodonický potok" stream, 635 m, Q 7154a, young cult. Picea forest, 6. VIII. 2002, leg. T. Papoušek, det. M. Beran (Papoušek 2004); 14. IX. 2002, leg. et det. T. Papoušek (both CB); Pinus, Picea, Vaccinium, 26. VII. 2005, leg. et det. Beran (CB; photo Papoušek); 2,3 km NW of the village, 618 m, N 48°41'50" E 14°33'32", Picea abies, 24. IX. 2003, leg. J. Junek, det. P. Hrouda (BRNU)
    • Daleké Popelice, 680-710 m, Q 7253d, Pinus, Vaccinium (+ Picea), 7. IX. 2002, leg. T. Papoušek, det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Lužnice, hill "Lužnický vrch", below the road, Piceetum nudum, 20. VIII. 2000; Picea, Pinus, 28. VII. 2001, leg. et det. T. Papoušek (CB)
    • Šalmanovice, Pinus, Calluna, Vaccinium, mosses, 5. VIII. 2000, leg. et det. T. Papoušek (CB; foto)
    • Stará Hlína, against the sand-pit, 200 m south of bus stop, 25. IX. 1997, leg. S. Graca, det. T. Kukulka (OSM)
    • Pomezí near Landštejn, Q 6759c (N 49°02' E 15°13'), Picea, Pinus, VIII. 2001, leg. Zuzana Bieberová, det. Petr Hrouda (BRNU)
    • Újezd u Chocně (UO), 2 km SW of the village, Pinus, Vaccinium (+ Picea), sandy soil, 20. IX. 2002, leg. Libor Tmej, det. P. Hrouda
    • Vrtěžíř - Lískovec, 450 m, Q 6563b, N 49°29'33" E 16°18'46", Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, 29. VIII. 2002, leg. L. Jankovský, det. A. Vágner (BRNM)
    • Borotín near Boskovice (Drahanská vrchovina hills), "Borotínské čihadlo", north of the village, 450-538 m, Q 6465b, N 49°34´ E 16°37´, Picea abies, 6. VIII. 2001, leg. et det. Alois Vágner (BRNM)
    • Mokrá-Horákov, 0,5 km east of the village, forest margin against the quarry entrance, 370 m, 24. 8. 2002, leg. et det. A. Vágner (BRNM)
    • Rychtářov, 400 m, Q 6667a, N 49°21'07" E 16°54'42", Abies alba, Betula pendula, Picea abies, 7. IX. 2001, leg. A. Nový, det. A. Vágner (BRNM)
    • Velké Karlovice, eastern part of the Javorníky Mts., natural reserve Razula, forest "Podťaté", SE of village Léskové, 720 m, Abieto-Fagetum with Picea on flysh ground, 21. IX. 1994, leg. M. Kalinová et A. Zemánek, det. P. Škubla (Škubla 1995)
    Localities recorded in the 1980s (only Slovakia):
    • Lipovec, site "Rovne" 9-11 km north from Martin, 450-800 m, Fagus, Betula, Carpinus, 29. VIII. 1982, leg. et det. L. Hagara (Hagara 1982)
    • Liptovský Ján, "Jánska dolina" valley, 700 m, Pinus, 20. IX. 1987, leg. et det. J. Kuthan ut H. velutinum (BRA)
    • Liptovský Hrádok-Borová Sihoť, slope of hill "Kameničné", 700 m, Pinus, calcareous soil, 3. IX. 1988, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Kráľova Lehota, between K. L. and Svarín, 500 m, Pinus, calcareous soil, 13. VIII. 1982, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Važec, Kozie chrbty, slope of hill "Múry", 850 m, Pinus, 30. VIII. 1986, leg. et det. J. Kuthan ut H. velutinum (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. Hydnellum ferrugineum shows an apparently non-uniform distribution in the area. The clear centre of its occurrence is located in the sandy pine forests of southern Bohemia and neighbouring part of Niederösterreich, where the species also does not show any distinct decline. Smaller areas of occurrence can be found in southern Moravia and in the Váh river basin in Slovakia. Hydnellum ferrugineum rarely occurs in higher altitudes, which is confirmed in Austria – the only part with a rather frequent occurrence of this species is central Steiermark and the adjacent areas of Burgenland and Niederösterreich; other isolated localities are located in Oberösterreich, Kärnten, and Tirol. There are scattered groups of localities in several areas of Germany (recently in Rheinland-Pfalz, Leistadt, 2002, KR, and Sachsen, Bergen, 1996, GLM) and Poland (documented also from the northernmost part of the country: Gdańsk, Wrzeszcz, 1958, WA), mainly in Pinus, less in Picea forests.
     

    Hydnellum spongiosipes (Peck) Pouzar

    Current classification of Karsten’s species based on Fries’s Hydnum velutinum is not mentioned here – I am not able to certainly identify them with any of currently recognized species.
    Pouzar (1956) differentiates H. velutinum sensu Bresadola (= H. spongosipes) and H. velutinum sensu Fries. He states that these two species were correctly distinguished by Lundell, but Lundell – according to Maas Geesteranus (1957) – considered Fries’s H. velutinum as identic with H. ferrugineum. (In Czech herbaria, H. ferrugineum has been commonly identified as H. velutinum.) Maas Geesteranus did not agree with Lundell; he solved the problemmatics by establishing of var. velutinum (= H. velutinum sensu Fr.) and var. spongosipes (= H. velutinum sensu Bres.) of species H. velutinum (Fr.) P. Karst. (independently on separate species H. ferrugineum). Nikolajeva (1961) described H. spongosipes under the name H. velutinum. Maas Geesteranus in his monography (1975) only repeated former statements; he excluded H. velutinum from all synonymics. Later this name has not been published in literature.


    Description. Pileus about 50 mm in width, velutinous, at first whitish, then fleshy, turning brown with age, often cinnamomeous. Stipe velutinous, concolorous with the pileus or darker, its surface evenly tomentose. Spines at first whitish, then turning brown. Context concolorous with pileus surface, a thin cut turning dark carmine in KOH. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Spores with very conspicuous acute warts, (5.4-)6.3-7.2 x 4.4-5.4 µm.
    Related species. H. ferrugineum and H. peckii are species of coniferous woods, their spores have truncate warts and an expulsion of red drops may appear in young specimens of these species. Other characters of H. peckii are its pungent taste, the presence of clamp-connections and the context not changing colour in KOH.
    Occurrence. Rare species, not found in the Czech Republic during the last 20 years. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "CR" (critically endangered).
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions Fagaceae, most often Quercus. Indeed, Quercus is present in all Czech and Slovak localities, where the accompanying trees were recorded, in the remaining cases its presence is possible. In Germany the species occurs with Fagus, in Hungary with Castanea.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Rare occurrence in isolated localities, according to the occurrence of accompanying trees.
    List of recorded localities - Czech Republic:
    • Poříčany, Kersko, Quercus wood, 30. VII. 1944, leg. V. Vacek, det. R. A. Maas Geesteranus, 11. X. 1955, leg. et det. Z. Pouzar (both PRM, Pouzar 1956), 31. VIII. 1960, leg. et det. Z. Pouzar (BRNM), 8. X. 1967, leg. et det. Z. Pouzar (Kotlaba 1968), 7. IX. 1969, leg. P. Krampera, det. K. Kunc ut H. velutinum = spongiosum (Krampera 1970); mixed wood, 22. VIII. 1965, leg. et det. E. Wichanský ut H. velutinum (PRM); "Horní Kersko", 150 m paralelly with railway track Třebestovice-Poříčany, Quercus (+ Pinus), 1. X. 1980, leg. K. Kult, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM, GLM)
    • Obora, Obrubce forest, deciduous wood (Quercus petraea, Betula sp., Tilia cordata, Frangula alnus, Molinia caerulea), 250 m, 5. IX. 1970, leg. et det. J. Herink (PRM/Herink)
    Slovakia:
    • Žemberovce, slope of Husárka hill, Quercus wood, 400 m, 23. IX. 1987, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Gbely, Dúbravka, Quercus wood, 17. IX. 1972, 7. VIII. 1974, both leg. et det. A. Dermek (Dermek 1978)
    • Kuchyňa, Vývrať, 3. VIII. 1972. leg. et det. I. Fábry ut H. scrobiculatum, rev. Z. Pouzar, 20. VIII. 1972, leg. A. Horváthová, det. Z. Pouzar (both BRA)
    • Zlatníky, Quercus wood, 400 m, 11. VII. 1971, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Mačov near Diviaky nad Nitricou, deciduous to mixed wood (Quercus, Pinus), 420 m, 14. IX. 1980, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. A very rare species, occuring at isolated localities in all countries. In Germany it occurs in Niedersachsen („Gut Sunder“ near Winsen/Aller, 2001, LZ; Forellenbachtal, 1993; Düngel, 1987, last two in Wöldecke 1998), Westfalen („Paulinen-Allee“ near Tatenhausen, 1987, MSTR), Sachsen-Anhalt („Burghof“ in protected area „Kyffhäuser“, 1987, LZ; „Ferchauer Forst“ near Salzwedel, 1981, JE), Brandenburg („Gubelpfuhe“ near Buckow, 1979, JE) and rarely in Mecklenburg (Otto 1992); also the species reported by Nespiak (1968) from Fagus forests in Wesergebirge as Calodon velutinus probably represents Hydnellum spongiosipes. In southern Germany this species recently occurs in Schwarzwald (near Hausach, 1987, STU), formerly it also occurred in Oberpfalz (Altenschwand, 1963, M). Other localities are situated in Austria (Klöch near Bad Radkersburg, Steiermark, 1995, WU) and in Hungary (Kőszeg near Austrian border, 1979, and Parád in Mátra Mts., 1965, both BP).
     

    Hydnellum tardum Maas Geest.

    Popis. Pileus about 30 mm in width, surface gibbous or covered with irregular outgrowths, yellow-brown to siena brown; stipe concolorous. Literature sources characterise this species with pink colouring of the young basidiomes; this character disappears with age or drying. Compared to the following species, surface of pileus and stipe is usually slightly velutinous at H. tardum. Spines light brown (sometimes with purplish hue), context brown, a thin cut turning dark carmine in KOH. Yellowish drops of expulsed liquid may appear on the surface of the pileus. Clamp-connections absent. Spores with conspicuous angular warts, 4.7-5.8 x 3.6-4.3 µm.
    Related species. The species is macroscopically not reliably distinguishable from H. concrescens, H. cumulatum and H. scrobiculatum. Under the microscope the spores of H. scrobiculatum are found to have rounded warts, H. concrescens and H. tardum have spores with truncate and H. cumulatum with acute warts.; basidiomes of H. concrescens are usually thin with smooth surface and often with conspicuous concentric zones. On the other hand, H. spongiosipes has the pileus and stipe surface distinctly tomentose and grows in deciduous forests.
    Accompanying trees. Literature presents coniferous trees (Picea, Abies). Picea grows at all Central European localities, where the accompanying tree has been recorded.
    Czech find of Hydnellum tardum:
    • Těšenov (Bohemian-Moravian Highland), hill "Skála" ("Smrčina"), Q 6658a (N 49°21' E 15°22'), Picea forest, 4. VIII. 2001, leg. Jiří Novotný, det. Petr Hrouda (now in my hands, will be deposited in CB).
    Note: After discovering this species in the Czech Republic, I looked at the specimens of Hydnellum concrescens and H. scrobiculatum in the Prague herbarium (PRM), but not any specimen resembles H. tardum. In my opinion, it is really a rare species, not only little known. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "CR" (critically endangered).
    Distribution in Central Europe. According to my revision, the occurrence of Hydnellum tardum is not limited only to a few localities in Baden-Württemberg; nevertheless, this part of Germany remains the distribution centre of this species (seven localities known to date). Outside Germany, there are single localities in Austria (Oberösterreich, Gosau, Leitgeb-kogel, foot of hill, 1985, LI) and in the Czech Republic (see above). Outside Central Europe, the species was also found in France (Bozel Sons Glaigetan in the Savoy Alps, 1971, M).
     

    Hydnellum scrobiculatum (Fr.) P. Karst.

    Description. Pileus about 40 mm in width, rough, wrinkled, mostly covered with many irregular outgrowths or little secondary pileoli; concrescence of basidiomes frequent. Entire basidiome – both pileus and stipe – brown, margin of the pileus sometimes a little lighter. Spines concolorous, context too, a thin cut turning dark carmine in KOH. Yellowish drops of expulsed liquid may appear on the surface of the pileus. Clamp-connections absent. Spores with conspicuous rounded warts, 5.6-7 x 4.5-4.9 µm.
    Related species. The species is macroscopically not reliably distinguishable from H. concrescens and H. cumulatum. Under the microscope the spores of H. scrobiculatum are found to have rounded warts, H. concrescens and H. tardum have spores with truncate and H. cumulatum with acute warts.
    Occurrence. Less abundant species, showing a gradual decline. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "VU" (vulnerable).
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions coniferous trees (mostly Pinus), but also mixed woods (with representatives of the family Fagaceae); Czech and Slovak collections come from coniferous (the majority), mixed and deciduous woods. Pinus occurs in 54 %, Quercus in 29 % of localities. There is a shift from deciduous woods (most collections in the 1930s and 1940s) to coniferous woods (most collections in the 1950s); recently the species has been rarely found under deciduous tree.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Formerly locally abundant species in the whole of Bohemia, recently limited to a few localities in the area between Prague and České Budějovice. In Slovakia it occurs rarely in isolated localities.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Bytíz, 2,4 km south of the village (across the road), 550 m, Picea, 15. IX. 1991, leg. et det. E. Lippert (PRM)
    • Světlík near Frymburk (CK), area tuta "Bobovec" west of Světlík, Pinus, 18.  IX.  1997, leg. Helena Deckerová, det. Zdeněk Pouzar (PRM; also not. F.  Kotlaba, localisation: "Na pastvinách" SSW of Světlík)
    • Malonty, "Hodonický potok" stream, Pinus, Picea, cultural forest with Vaccinium, 26. VII. 2005, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB; photo Papoušek)
    • Srubec, forest "Jesení 1,7 km east of the village, 530 m, Q 7053c, young cultural Picea forest, 7. VIII. 2005, leg. R. Mašek, det. F. Tondl (CB)
    • Nedvědice (TA), site "V starém" NW of the village, Picea, 16.  VIII.  2001, leg. et det. F.  Kotlaba (PRM)
    • Planá nad Lužnicí, 2 km SE, fishpond "Košický rybník", 400 m, Q 6654c, Quercus, 30. VII. 1993, leg. et det. M. Beran ut H. concrescens, rev. P. Hrouda 23. 3. 2005 (LI)
    • Hlinice, "Velký Hutecký les" forest, 450 m, Q 6554c, cultural Picea forest, 14. IX. 1991, leg. et det. M. Beran (PRM); 18. VIII. 2000, leg. P. Špinar, det. M. Beran (CB; cit. in Papoušek 2004)
    • Těšenov, Q 6658a, Picea, 12. VIII. 2002, leg. J. Novotný, det. M. Beran (CB)
    — Slovakia:
    • Raková (CA), "Korcháň" valley, Picea, 20.  IX.  1991, leg. Jiří Lederer, det. Zdeněk Pouzar (PRM)
    Localities recorded in the 1970s and 1980s - Czech Republic:
    • Praha-Zbraslav, "Hradiště" (on right bank of the Vltava river), on the top, Quercus, Carpinus, 9. VIII. 1974, leg. et det. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Buzice, hamlet Buzičky, forest "Buzíček", 450 m, Picea, 5. VIII. 1974, leg. J. Herink, det. P. Hrouda (PRM/Herink)
    • Těšínov near Protivín, near the way to Pařezí, Quercus robur, 9. X. 1979, leg. J. Kubička, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM, CB)
    • Hlinice, "Velký Hutecký les" forest, 450 m, Q 6554c, Pinus, Picea, 7. IX. 1984, leg. M. Beran, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Vysoké Popovice, deciduous forest, 14. X. 1970, leg. E. Janík, det. K. Kříž (BRNM)
    — Slovakia:
    • Zobor hill in Tríbeč Mts., "Svoradova step" steppe, 24. VII. 1972, leg. L. Opold, det. Z. Pouzar (BRA)
    • "Važecké louky" meadows north of the road Východná-Važec, 850 m, Pinus, 31. VIII. 1972, leg. J. Kuthan, det. Z. Pouzar (BRA)
    • Važec, "Važecká poľana" = "Slamená", Picea (+ Pinus), 12. IX. 1988, leg. F. Kotlaba, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM), leg. et det. P. Vampola (MJ)
    Distribution in Central Europe. A relatively rare species, especially in comparison with the very similar Hydnellum concrescens (some specimens documented as H. scrobiculatum have been revised as H. concrescens). Except southern Bohemia, recently Hydnellum scrobiculatum remains rather common in Baden-Württemberg and southern Austria. There are also scattered localities in Bavaria, in the end of the 1960s the species was recorded in Niedersachsen (Dannenberg, Fagus, 1968, M) and Westfalen (Kleinenbremen, Fagus, 1968, M), recently in Sachsen (latest find: Kreba, Quercus, 1999, GLM). Formerly the species was found in western and northern Austria, too. Only few collections are known from Slovakia and only once the species was collected in Hungary (Imókö hill in the Bükk Mts., 1954, BP).
     

    Hydnellum concrescens (Pers.) Banker

    Description. Pileus about 40 mm in width, brown, wrinkled, with concentric zones, if not destroyed by irregular outgrowths on the surface of the pileus. Stipe concolorous with the pileus. Spines sometimes paler than pileus in young stages, turning dark brown at maturity. Context brown, concolorous with the surface of the basidiome, a thin cut turning dark carmine in KOH. Yellowish drops of expulsed liquid may appear on the surface of the pileus. Clamp-connections absent. Spores with conspicuous angular warts, 5.4-6.1 x (3.6-)4-4.5 µm.
    Related species. H. scrobiculatum, H. tardum and H. cumulatum are macroscopically indistinguishable from this species; basidiomes of Hydnellum with a conspicuously concentrically zoned pileus and without surface outgrowths, very probably concern H. concrescens, but a microscope is needed to check this: the spores of H. cumulatum have acute warts, those of H. scrobiculatum rounded warts; the spores of H. concrescens have warts with truncate apices (like molar teeth), as well as the spores of H. tardum, which has slightly velutinous surface of pileus and stipe and pink hues might occur in young stage. It can also be confused with H. aurantiacum with an orange context and Phellodon tomentosus with light, beige to ochraceous spines, oval spores with small apices and a smell of fenugreek when dried.
    Occurrence. Formerly abundant, showing certain decline. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "NT+LC" (near threatened + least concern).
    Accompanying trees. According to the literature this species grows under both coniferous and deciduous trees, which is confirmed in our country. The spectrum of accompanying trees is very wide. The most frequent are Picea (52 %) and Quercus (35 % of localities).
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. The species occurs almost in the whole area of the former Czechoslovakia. It does not have distinct distribution centres. It is currently rare in Slovakia and more common in the Czech Republic, but it is still found in isolated localities.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Osek u Hořovic, 16. IX. 2002, not. Oldřich Jindřich
    • Brdy, near "Červený potok" stream below the ruin "Valdek" (together with Phellodon connatus), 16.  IX.  2002, not. Oldřich Jindřich
    • Srní, Otava river valley just below "Čeňkova pila" near road on right bank, W slope, 660  m, Picea abies (+ fagus, Sorbus), 29.  IX.  2001, leg. J.  Holec et Z.  Pouzar ut cf. H.  scrobiculatum, det. Zdeněk Pouzar (PRM)
    • Srní, between "Čeňkova pila" and Rejštejn, "Dračí skály", SW slope below the rocks, 690  m, relict forest on the rock (Pinus silvestris, Betula), mixed forest around (Pinus, Abies, Picea, Fagus), under Picea, Pinus, 29.  IX.  2001, leg. Jan Holec ut cf. H.  scrobiculatum, det. Zdeněk Pouzar (PRM)
    • Malonty, "Hodonický potok" stream, cultural Picea forest, 14. IX. 2002, 7. IX. 2004, both leg. et det. M. Beran ut H. ? scrobiculatum, rev. P. Hrouda 11. 2. 2003, 8. 8. 2005 (CB)
    • Klec (TA), dam of fishpond "Naděje" 1,5 km north of the village, 415 m, Q 6854c, mixed stand (Quercus, Salix, Populus tremula, Pinus), 19. IX. 1997, leg. Miloslava Dobešová, det. Tomáš Papoušek ut Phellodon confluens (probably changed material, see also Tondl 2002), rev. P. Hrouda 16. 8. 2002 (HR), leg. S.+M. Graca, det. T. Papoušek ut Phellodon confluens (dtto), rev. P. Hrouda 21. 2. 2005 (OSM); VIII. 2001, leg. T. Papoušek, det. M. Beran; Quercus, Salix, 19. VIII. 2001, leg. et det. F. Tondl, conf. Z. Pouzar (obé CB); Quercus, Salix, Betula, Tilia, Alnus, 22. IX. 2001, leg. T. Papoušek, det. F. Tondl et Z. Pouzar (CB; cit. in Papoušek 2004)
    • Planá nad Lužnicí, 2 km SE, dam of fishpond "Košický rybník", 400 m, Q 6654c, N 49°20’30" E 14°43’30", Quercus, 30. VVV. 1993, leg. et det. M. Beran (LI)
    • Týniště nad Orlicí, near fishpond "Rozkoš" NW of the town, Quercus, Carpinus, Tilia, Fraxinus, Sorbus (young), 18. VIII. 2001, leg. et det. Václav Matějka ut H.  scrobiculatum?, rev. Petr Hrouda 16.  8. 2002 (HR; foto č. 37/2001)
    • Vsetín, 3,5 km NE of the town, "Valova skála" rock, Q 6674a, N 49°21’08" E 18°01’39", mixed forest, 24. IX. 1994, leg. et det. Miloslava Dobešová, rev. P. Hrouda 16. 8. 2002 (HR)
    • Halenkov, 8 km NNW of the village, natural reserve "Kutaný", 700 m, Q 6674b, N 49°22’30" E 18°05’30", Abies, Fagus, 22. IX. 1994, leg et det. Miloslava Dobešová, rev. P. Hrouda 16. 8. 2002 (HR)
    Localities recorded in the 1980s (only Slovakia):
    • Veľké Uherce, 3 km south of the village, 350 m, Picea in Picea-Quercus forest, 12. IX. 1981, leg. et det. L. Hagara (BRA)
    • Podbanské, Kokavský most (4 km NE of Liptovská Kokava), slope of hill "Hluchanka", Picea, 7. VIII. 1989, leg. et det. J. Kuthan ut H. scrobiculatum, rev. P. Hrouda (BRA)
    • Važec, "Važecká poľana" = "Slamená", 1000 m, Pinus (+ Fagus, Picea), calcareous soil, 16. VIII. 1980, leg. et det. J. Kuthan; Picea, 13. IX. 1988, leg. P. Škubla, det. J. Kuthan (both BRA)
    • Važec, hill "Vŕšky", 950 m, Pinus, 12. IX. 1988, leg. Herbenová et Herink, det. J. Herink (PRM/Herink)
    • Liptovská Teplička, site "Kolesárky", valley of Čierny Váh river, 950 m, Pinus, Picea, 11. IX. 1988, leg. G. Saupe, det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Štrbské Pleso, site "Uhliščata", slope of hill "Spálený vrch", 1000 m, Picea, 15. VIII. 1981, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Štôla, 900 m, Picea, mountain forest, 18. X. 1980, leg. H. Deckerová, det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Dravce, 600 m, Pinus, 18. IX. 1988, leg. H. Deckerová, det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. As said above, Hydnellum concrescens is a more common species than H. scrobiculatum and H. tardum. It is rather common species in both deciduous and coniferous forests especially in eastern Germany (almost all area of former GDR), with several recent records also in Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Hessen, and Rheinland-Pfalz. Another area of recent occurrence is Baden-Württemberg and northern Bayern; almost only older collections are known from southern Bavaria and Tirol, and the species is almost absent from a wide zone covering Osttirol, Salzburg, western Steiermark and Oberösterreich (with one recent exception near Offensee, 1994, LI). Further branch of its distribution range covers a zone in eastern Austria through Waldviertel, the surroundings of Vienna, Burgenland and Steiermark to eastern Kärnten (a few localities in western Hungary also belong to this „branch“). Small isolated areas where it occurs are known from the Visegrád Mts. and Mátra Mts. in northern Hungary. There are several recent records in central Poland and Polish Carpathians. Compared to other similar species, Hydnellum concrescens is found in warmer areas, but its ecological amplitude is rather wide in this regard (see finds from the Tatra region or recently from Šumava Mts. in Bohemia).
     

    Hydnellum cumulatum K. Harrison

    Description. Pileus about 25 mm in width, scrobiculate, sulcate to radially ridged, brown, often more basidiomes grown together. Stipe concolorous with the pileus, spines more or less so. Colour of the context similar to the surface of the pileus, a thin cut turning dark carmine in KOH. Yellowish drops of expulsed liquid may appear on the surface of the basidiome. Clamp-connections absent. Spores with conspicuous acute warts, 4.3-5.6 x 3.6-4.3 µm.
    Related species. H. cumulatum is macroscopically indistinguishable from H. concrescens and H. scrobiculatum. It differs from these species by its acutely spiny spores; H. concrescens and H. tardum have spores with truncate, angular warts, H. scrobiculatum with rounded warts.
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions coniferous trees (Picea, Pinus).
    Czech find of Hydnellum cumulatum:
    • Šalmanovice (southern Bohemia), Pinus sylvestris, 2. IX. 1960, leg. C. Bas, det. R. A. Maas Geesteranus (preserved in L; cit. in Maas Geesteranus 1975, Kubička 1981).
    In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "?EX" (probably extinct). The find from Šalmanovice remains the only record in Central Europe.
     

    Hydnellum geogenium (Fr.) Banker

    Description. Pileus about 25 mm in width, at first sulphurous yellow, with age and by pressing turning olive-green to black, with irregular surface, wrinkled, with outgrowths or secondary pileoli, basidiomes often grown together. Stipe (often indistinguishable when basidiomes are grown together ) concolorous. Spines sulphurous yellow when young, then turning brown. Context yellow when young, gradually turning to olive-green, a thin cut turning olive in KOH. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections present. Spores with not very conspicuous angular warts, 4.5-5.2 x 3.1-3.6 µm.
    Related species. Not to be confused with any other species.
    Occurrence. Rare species, still found in Slovakia, almost disappeared from the Czech Republic. Well visible occurrence decline during last decades, threatened species! In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "CR" (critically endangered). The species is also included in the Red Data Book of Slovakia and Czech Republic (Kotlaba 1995).
    Accompanying trees. Literature sources mention coniferous trees. This species seems to be associated with Picea, which occurs (with one exception - a collection from the 19th century) in all localities where the trees were recorded.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. The species prefers higher altitudes. Isolated occurrence in the Bohemian Massif (probably only historic), somewhat more abundant in the Carpathians (the belt Beskydy - Kysuca - Orava - Tatry - Spiš); recently known only in the central part of Slovak Carpathians (found in 2005 in northern Slovakia).
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Slovakia:
    • Oravice, "Šatanová", 850 m, N 49°17’ E 19°46’, young Picea forest, 22. VII. 2005, leg. P. Škubla, det. M. Beran (CB)
    Older recorded localities - Czech Republic:
    • Libějovické Svobodné Hory, forest on Holička hill, planted Picea forest, 550 m, VII. 1936, leg. et det. J. Herink (PRM)
    • Sádek, Picea, 17. IX. 1950, leg. E. Horníček, det. J. Herink (PRM/Herink)
    • Kuřimské Jestřabí, Falcův mlýn, Picea forest with admixed Pinus, 11. IX. 1974, leg. B. Kasala, det. K. Kříž (BRNM)
    • Hrabůvka, coniferous forest, VIII. 1933, leg. F. Petrak ut Hydnum g. (W))
    • Kateřinice, central-western part of "Dubcová" mountain, planted Picea forest, 480 m, 31. VII. 1944, leg. V. Pospíšil, det. F. Šmarda (BRNM), 2. IX. 1948, leg. et det. V. Pospíšil (PRM)
    • Vsetín, 15. IX. 1946, leg. V. Pospíšil, det. F. Šmarda (BRNM)
    • Pošle, Poschla forest, Piceetum nudum, 3. IX. 1948, 13. VII. and 26. VII. 1953, all leg. V. Pospíšil, det. F. Šmarda, rev. F. Kotlaba (BRNM)
    • Velké Karlovice, "Babské" valley, Picea-Fagus forest, 4. IX. 1948, leg. V. Pospíšil, det. F. Šmarda (BRNM)
    — Slovakia:
    • Sklené Teplice near Banské Štiavnica, Picea, 600 m, 28. VIII. 1974, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Raková, "Korcháň" valley, Picea, 550 m, 22. IX. 1974; 650 m, 5. X. 1974, both leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Oravský Podzámok, forest in the direction of Hruštín, old Picea forest, 550 m, 12. VIII. 1959, 23. VIII. 1960, both leg. et det. I. Fábry (BRA)
    • Mútne, Picea, 650 m, 3. VIII. 1973, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Mt. Osobitá, slope, Picea, 1200 m, 7. VIII. 1977, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • "Račkova dolina" valley, right bank of Račková stream, 3 km north of Pribylina, Picea, 850 m, 17. VIII. 1974, leg. A. Dermek, det. P. Hrouda (BRA)
    • Východná, "Krátke" forest, Picea, 950 m, 2. IX. 1978, leg. J. Kuthan, Jos. Herink et Jan Herink, det. Jos. Herink (PRM/Herink)
    • "Važecké louky" meadows, north of the road Východná–Važec, Picea, 850 m, 23. VIII. 1970, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA); Pinus, Picea, Betula, 4. IX. 1980, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (LIT)
    • Nižná Šuňava, Picea, 850 m, 16. VII. 1977, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Tatranská Štrba, Picea, 900 m, 20. IX. 1977, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Štrbské Pleso, "Uhliščata", slope of "Spálený vrch", Picea, 1000 m, 14. IX. 1989, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Červený Kláštor, Picea forest (with Abies), 550 m, 10. VII. 1971, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Čingov, hill "Hradisko" (3 km west of Spišská Nová Ves), Picea, 560 m, 17. IX. 1985, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Spišské Vlachy, Pinus, IX. 1859, leg. et det. K. Kalchbrenner ut Hydnum sulphureum (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. Hydnellum geogenium is a species very distinctly associated with Picea in mountain areas. As predictable, this corresponds with its distribution – the species is absent from Hungary and almost absent from Germany and the Czech Republic (very old collections from Bavaria and Bohemia, more recent ones /1950s–1970s/ from Baden-Württemberg and Moravia). It seems that the great decline in occurrence still continues – its distribution range is now limited to the central part of the Western Carpathians (except Slovakia, also in Poland – latest find: Mała Roztoka in Beskid Sądecki Mts., in Gumińska 1962, as Calodon sulphureum) and scattered localities in Steiermark (Walstern near Mariazell, 1994, WU; Weissenbach in the Totes Gebirge Mts., 1998; Stainzer Warte, 2002, both GJO), Kärnten (St. Margareten in Rosental, 2002, WU) and Tirol (Innsbruck, Stangensteig 1995, IB; Hochpillberg, 1998, in Peintner et al. 1999) in Austria.
     

    Species of the genus Hydnellum, known in surrounding countries

    Hydnellum mirabile (the species is documented also from Moravia /see below/, but recently it is probably not possible to concern it as species of Czech mycoflora). Rather massive basidiome, yellowish, ochraceous to brown coloured (pileus, spines and stipe); its surface is conspicuously hispid (hairs of connected hyphae, lied down at dry material), different from tomentose or velutinous surface of another species. Context pale, "soft", hyphae without clamps. Spores 5.6-5.8 x 4.5 µm. Species of coniferous forests (Picea, Pinus), extremely rare.
    Hydnellum mirabile is a very rare species with only three localities in Central Europe: Partutovice (= Bartelsdorf in German, central Moravia, 1934, M and W) in the Czech Republic and Gressenberg (Koralpe Mts., Steiermark, 1978, GZU) and Ödenhaus near Innsbruck (Tirol, 1935, W) in Austria. In the surrounding area, the species is recently documented from northern Italy (near Bolzano, 1991, IB).

    Hydnellum compactum. Also quite massive basidiome, pileus with rough surface, similarly to previous species lanate, tomentose to hairy; whitish to yellow when young, turning brown with age, sometimes with olive green hue. Stipe concolorous with pileus, spines whitish to brown. Context pale, tough, compact ("hard"), hyphae without clamps. Taste pungent to bitter. Spores 5.4-6.3 x 3.6-4.5 µm. Species of deciduous forests (Quercus, Fagus, according to literature also Castanea), absent in cold regions.
    Hydnellum compactum is similarly rare as the preceding species. Recently it is known from Neupurkersdorf in Wiener Wald (Niederösterreich, 1998 and 2002, WU; older collections from nearby Purkersdorf are deposited in W), and Engel and Friederichsen (1974) report it near Lermoos (Tirol, 1961-2; the occurrence at this locality is doubtful, H. caeruleum has been often named H. compactum, but the authors distinguish these two species in the article and mixed coniferous-deciduous forest is mentioned for Calodon compactum). Krieglsteiner (2000) reports four localities from Baden-Württemberg: Obersasbach (1931), Gündelwangen (1971), Breitenbach (1980-1995) and „under Büchereck“ (close to Breitenbach, 1994); Krieglsteiner (1991, 1999) reports also a few localities from northern Bavaria. Further locality is situated in Westfalen („Paulinen-Allee“ near Tatenhausen, 1987, MSTR), and in the 1930s the species occurred also in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern; the specimen cropped in this region (Neumühler See) by Westphal in 1994 (deposited in LZ, formerly identified as H. spongiosipes and revised as H. cf. scrobiculatum) appears to represent an untypical basidiome of this species as well. The species is also known from central Poland („Las Łagiewnicki“ forest near Łódź, 1974, LOD).

    Hydnellum ferrugipes. Species very similar to Hydnellum caeruleum; H. ferrugipes differs in yellow-brown colouring of pileus and absence of clamps in the whole basidiome.
    There is only one collection of this American species from Austria, Steiermark, Ragnitztal east of Graz, against Schweinberg, 24. IX. 1975, leg. et det. Riedl as H. suaveolens, rev. Maas Geesteranus 1977, GZU. Maas Geesteranus added to the exsiccate a note that it is the second find of this species in Europe. According to Jülich (1984), the species occurs in Austria, France, Norway and Sweden.
     

    Sarcodon P. Karst.

    Basidiomes pileate, stipitate. Surface of pileus at first tomentose, then glabrescent, with cuticle sooner or later breaking up into areoles or scales, mostly brown, sometimes with yellow hue; stipe similarly coloured. Spines brown. Context fleshy to tough, non-zoned, most often whitish to brown (different colours are characteristic of some species or groups of species), monomitic. Hyphae in context broadening towards the centre of pileus, thin-walled to slightly thick-walled, with or without clamp-connections. Hyphae in spines similar. Basidia with or without basal clamp-connections, corresponding to their presence or absence in the context, clavate, 4-spored. Spores of irregular shape, tuberculiform, verrucose, brownish. Cystidia absent.
    Type species: Sarcodon imbricatus (L.: Fr.) P. Karst.
    Key to the Central European species:
    • 1 ) Context pink or violet; hyphae without clamp-connections
      • 2 ) Pileus turning dark (to black) with age; species of coniferous woods
      ... S. fuligineoviolaceus
      • 2*) Pileus brown, rather with a red or pink hue; species of deciduous woods
      ... S. joeides
    • 1*) Context not pink or violet
      • 3 ) Pileus surface not broken, distinctly velutinous; orange felt on the base of stipe
      ... S. martioflavus
      • 3*) Pileus surface smooth or broken, max. slightly velvety; stipe base without orange felt
        • 4 ) Base of the stipe grey- (to black-) green; hyphae without clamp-connections
          • 5 ) Growth under deciduous trees; spores with truncate, angular warts
            • 6 ) Pileus brown, cinnamomeous or purplish brown, surface might be broken into darker brown scales on lighter background; taste distinctly bitter
            ... S. scabrosus
            • 6*) Pileus pale, beige, ochraceous to yellow-brown, surface smooth or with tiny adjacent scales; taste mild, at least slightly bitterish
            ... S. lepidus
          • 5*) Growth under coniferous trees; spores with truncate or rounded warts
            • 7 ) Violet colour present in the lower part of stipe
            • ... S. regalis
            • 7*) No violet colour in the lower part of stipe
              • 8 ) Pileus brown, cinnamomeous or purple-brown, sometimes broken up into dark brown scales on a somewhat lighter brown ground, stipe concolorous with pileus; context turning blue-green in KOH; spores rough with angular warts
              • ... S. scabrosus
              • 8*) Pileus yellow-brown to ochraceous, sometimes broken up into scales, which may be come dark-brown, although the ground remains yellow-brown; stipe yellow-brown, ochraceous to ferrugineous; spores with small rounded warts
                • 9 ) Both pileus and stipe more or less equally ochraceous, pileus sometimes broken up into a slightly darker scales on a lighter ground; context not changing colour in KOH
                ... S. fennicus
                • 9*) Pileus and stipe differently coloured, cuticle of the pileus smooth or breaking up into brown areoles in the centre and scales at the margin (darker towards the centre) on a yellowish ground; stipe dirty pale to purple-brown; context turning blue-green in KOH
                ... S. glaucopus
        • 4*) Base of the stipe not differently coloured; hyphae with or without clamp-connections
          • 10 ) Small spores with undistinct or rounded warts, max. 6 x 4.5 µm
            • 11 ) Pileus brown to orange coloured, smooth or with tiny appressed squamulae; hyphae with clamps
            • ... S. versipellis
            • 11 ) Pileus brown, distinct scales are adjacent or with raised tips in the centre of pileus; hyphae without clamps
            ... S. lundellii
          • 10*) Large spores with truncate, angular warts, not smaller than 7 x 4.5 µm
            • 12 ) Pileus fleshy to dark brown, breaking up into large scales
              • 13 ) Pileus fleshy to dark brown, breaking up into large pronounced scales, erect in the centre of pileus and adjacent on its margin, and deep fissures; usual growth under Picea
              ... S. imbricatus
              • 13*) Pileus breaking up into adjacent scales, dark brown on lighter background (which is visible or not); usual growth under Pinus
            ... S. squamosus
            • 12*) Pileus pale, yellow- to light-brown, breaking up in the centre into areoles or scales with slightly raised tips
    ... S. leucopus

    Sarcodon imbricatus (L.: Fr.) P. Karst.

    Description. Pileus about 100 mm in width, fleshy brown, red-brown to dark brown, with age breaking up into conspicuous scales, erect in the centre of the pileus, appressed towards its margin, on a lighter ground. Stipe lighter, turning brown towards the pileus, with cylindrical or rounded base. Spines pale to brown. Context whitish, not changing colour in KOH. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections present. Spores with conspicuous angular warts, 7.2-8.2 x 4.9-5.4 µm.
    Related species. S. squamosus has dark brown pileus with almost always adjacent scales and short grey-brown spines; it usually grows under Pinus. The pileus of S. leucopus is areolate or possesses only appressed squamules. S. scabrosus has a grey-green stipe base and a conspicuously bitter taste (the taste of S. imbricatus is neutral or only slightly bitterish). S. lundellii lacks clamp-connections and it has small spores, 5-6 µm. The context of S. joeides and S. fuligineoviolaceus is pink or violet.
    Occurrence. Formerly abundant species showing a relatively conspicuous decline during the second half of the 20th century, but it is still relatively common. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "NT+LC" (near threatened + least concern).
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions coniferous trees, which is confirmed in our countries (see note at S. squamosus). Sarcodon imbricatus mostly accompanies Picea as its symbiont, but compared to some other species, it is probably not strictly associated with natural Picea forests.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Its earlier occurrence was probably denser than the map shows (what can be excerpted from available records). Also recently the species can be found in various places with exception of northern Bohemia. In Slovakia this species is still abundant, especially at higher altitudes.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Sebečice between Radnice and Zbiroh (RO), forest margin east of the village, Betula pendula, Pinus silvestris, Picea abies, among grass and Vaccinium, 30. IX. 2001, leg. Zuzana Fialová, det. F. Kotlaba et Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Srní, Otava river valley below "Čeňkova pila" – right bank, near the road just below Č. pila, W slope, 660 m, Picea abies (+ Fagus, Sorbus), 29. IX. 2001, leg. Zdeněk Pouzar, det. J. Holec et Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Srní, Vydra river valley between "Čeňkova pila" and "Turnerova chata", S slope near "big turning", 780 m, Picea abies, Abies alba, Ulmus glabra, Pinus silvestris; right bank 0,1-0,5 km S of Č. pila, W slope, 670 m, mixed forest (Picea, Abies, Fagus, Alnus, Salix, Acer, Corylus, Betula), Picea abies, obé 21. X. 1999, leg. et det. Jan Holec (PRM); below "Turnerova chata", slope, 780 m, bank forest (Betula, Populus tremula, Abies alba, Picea abies), 6. VIII. 1998, leg. et det. František Kotlaba, not. J. Holec; 800 m, Picea abies, 7. VIII. 1998, leg. et det. František Kotlaba (PRM)
    • Horská Kvilda (N-NE of H. K.), mire "Zhůřské slatě", forest road through NW part of the mire, slope, 110 m, wet Picea forest with admixture of Pinus x pseudopumilio, Betula, 15. IX. 1999, leg. et det. Jan Holec ut S. imbricatus, conf. P. Hrouda 30. 1. 2002 (PRM)
    • Lenora, "Malá niva", 670 m, Q 7048d, N 48°54'25" E 13°49'25", Betula, Picea, Populus, 7. X. 2004, leg. et det. A. Vágner (BRNM; also photo J. Junek), leg. J. Zavřel, det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Včelná pod Boubínem, 890-920 m, Q 6949c, N 48°54'25" E 13°49'25", Picea, Pinus, mladá Abies, 13. IX. 2002, leg. et det. T. Papoušek (CB; photo Papoušek)
    • Lužnice, "Lužnický vrch" hill, 750-900 m, N 48°41’33" E 14°37’58", cultural Picea forest, 27. IX. 2003, leg. et det. A. Vágner (BRNM)
    • Turovec, 1,5 km west, between the fishponds "Luční" and "Nečisto", 420 m, Q 6654a, N 49°23'55" E 14°45'05", Picea abies, sandy-clay loam, 21. X. 1995, leg. P. Špinar, det. M. Beran (LI)
    • Velmovice near Chýnov, "Dubské vrchy", 540m, Q 6554d, N 49°26’10" E 14°47’30", Picea, 10. X. 2000, leg. et det. P. Špinar (CB; cit. in Papoušek 2004); 10. X. 2002, leg. et det. P. Špinar (BRNM)
    • Jedlany, 1,5 km SE, forest "Doub", 480 m, Q 6554a, N 49°29' E 14°44'30", Vaccinio-Pinetum, 10. X. 1993, leg. et det. M. Beran (LI)
    • Sudoměřice u Tábora, forest "Bernatka", 300 m west of railway station, Pinus, Picea, 28. X. 1991, leg. et det. M. Beran (PRM)
    • Velký Vřešťov (TU), forest "V dubech", 1700 m ESE of the village, Picea, 12. X. 2001, leg. et det. Miloslava Dobešová, conf. P. Hrouda 16. 8. 2002 (HR; photo 69/2001)
    • Újezd u Kunštátu (BK), 1,2 km ESE, 305 m, Q 6465c, N 49°30’11" E 16°33’15", 4. VIII. 2000, leg. et det. Daniel Dvořák (PRM; photo, description)
    • Žďárec (BO), cca 2 km SE of the village on the hill above the Libochovka river, 460 m, Q 6663b, Picea, young stand, 28. VIII. 2005, leg. et det. Zuzana Bieberová
    • Kladeruby, west of the village, 440 m, Q 6862d, Picea abies, Fagus, 11. X. 1995, leg. et det. Alois Vágner (BRNM)
    • Ochoz u Brna (Moravian Karst), natural reserve "Údolí Říčky", approx. 2 km SE of the village, slope against the hill "Lysá hora", 300-429 m, Q 6766c, N 49°14´40" E 16°44´50", Picea, Carpinus, 13. IX. 2001, leg. et det. Alois Vágner (BRNM)
    • Vilémovice (Moravian Karst), Macocha, vicinity of the abyss, 350 m, Q 6666a, N 49°22´25" E 16°43´50", mixed forest (Abies, Picea, Fagus, Acer pseudoplatanus), 20. VIII. 2000, leg. Leoš Štefka, det. Vladimír Antonín (BRNM)
    • Podomí, 1 km north of the village, 550 m, Q 6666d, N 49°20’40" E 16°49’50", Picea), 21. X. 1994, leg. Antonín Nový, det. Vladimír Antonín (BRNM)
    • Pitín, Picea, Pinus, 16. X. 1994, leg. M. Kalivoda, det. B. Hlůza ut Hydnum i. (OLM)
    • Velké Karlovice, 6,5 km east of the village, 750-800 m, Q 6675c, N 49°21'30" E 18°17', Fagus, Picea, 21. IX. 1994, leg. et det. A. Vágner (BRNM)
    • Staré Hamry, valley of stream "Jamník", 1,5 km N of bus end-stop, Q6576b, Picea, 9. IX. 1994, leg. et det. V. Janda (FMM)
    — Slovakia:
    • Veľká Fatra Mts., "Veľká dolina" valley, site "Brdo", slope of hill "Príslop" near the village Nolčovo, 3. IX. 1994, leg. et det. P. Škubla, I. Milan et al. (Škubla et Milan 1995)
    • Podbanské (Liptovské hole Mts.), Picea, calcareous soil, 4. IX. 1991, leg. Kalmanovi, det. B. Hlůza (OLP)
    • Važec, 6 km north ( 0,75 km south of the road Štrbské Pleso–Podbanské), 1060 m, Q 6885d, Picea abies (Vaccinio-Piceetum), 7. IX. 2002, leg. et det. Petr Hrouda (BRNU)
    • Tatranská Štrba, 1 km east of the village, 900 m, Q 6986b, Picea abies, 5. IX. 2002, leg. et det. Petr Hrouda (BRNU)
    • Muránska planina Mts., cca 4 km N of Muráň, coniferous forest between the sites "Veľká Lúka" and "Ľadová jama", cca 1100 m, Picea, calcareous soil, 19. IX. 1995, leg. J. Jansa, det. J. Holec, rev. F. Kotlaba et Z. Pouzar 9. 3. 2000 (PRM)
    • Osadné (Bukovské vrchy Mts.), reserve "Udava", 480 m, Abies, 17. IX. 1991, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. Similarly as in the case of Phellodon niger, there appears to be a „zone of absence“ along the Danube river basin. South of this zone, there is a zone of rich occurrence running from westernmost Hungary (Vas region) through Steiermark, Oberösterreich, and Salzburg to Oberbayern, Tirol and Baden-Württemberg. North of the Danube river basin, there is another zone of occurrence approximately between the 49th and 50th parallel of latitude: southern Bohemia - Moravia - Carpathian region (northern Slovakia, southern Poland, common occurrence till now). Several isolated localities occur in northern Hungary (Budapest vicinity, Mátra Mts.). Although Sarcodon imbricatus is not so common species in northern Germany and Poland as in the southern part of Central Europe, it occurs in Picea-containing forests in various regions; recently the species has been recorded in Thüringen and Hessen.
     

    Sarcodon squamosus (Schaeff.) Quél.

    Although the species (formerly as) Hydnum squamosum was described already in 1774, Sarcodon squamosus has for a long time been confused with S. imbricatus. Because of the mentioned confusion, almost all specimens collected in the 20th century have been identified as Sarcodon imbricatus, and an exact revision is difficult in some cases. This is why the interpretation of historical records about occurrence and distribution of these species cannot be absolute.
    For detailed information and summary of distinguishing characters see Johannesson et al. (1999) and Schmidt-Stohn (2001), in Czech Kotlaba and Pouzar (2000), good description was also published by Kučera (1933), who distinguished S. squamosus in his time. The second mentioned publication is complemented with photographs, but in my opinion the basidiome of S. squamosus is extremely dark (the entire photo seems to be shifted in colour); more recommendable are the photos in Papouček (2004), Arnolds (2003) and illustrations in Maas Geesteranus (1975, tab. 26: fig. a shows typical S. imbricatus, whereas fig. b illustrates the pileus of S. squamosus).


    Description. Pileus about 100 mm in width, almost smooth when young; mature pileus in centre flat with conspicuos adjacent scales, smaller towards the margin, dark brown coloured on lighter background. Stipe pale, quite short, sometimes tapering towards the base. Spines short, light grey-green. Context whitish in the pileus, brown in the stipe base, not changing colour in KOH. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections present. Spores with conspicuous angular warts, 7.2-8.2 x 4.9-5.4 µm.
    Related species. S. imbricatus has fleshy- to dark-brown pileus, broken into pronounced scales, erect at least in the centre of pileus, and longer brown spines; it usually grows under Picea. The pileus of S. leucopus is areolate or possesses only appressed squamules. S. scabrosus has a grey-green stipe base and a conspicuously bitter taste (taste of S. squamosus is presented as aromatic to spicy). S. lundellii lacks clamp-connections and it has small spores, 5-6 µm. The context of S. fuligineoviolaceus is violet.
    Occurrence. Still rather common species. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "VU" (vulnerable).
    Accompanying trees. Literature presents Pinus, what is more or less confirmed in the studied area, but in some cases of reliable identification the data on the herbarium labels do not confirm the supposed association of S. squamosus with Pinus and S. imbricatus with Picea.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Especially in the regions with large areas of Pinus forests. The centre of stable occurrence is southern Bohemia; scattered occurrence in other regions.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Roudné near Louňovice pod Blaníkem, site "Danica", Pinus, 28. IX. 1994, leg. et det. F. Kotlaba et al. ut S. imbricatus, rev. F. Kotlaba et Z. Pouzar 9. 3. 2000 (PRM)
    • Sudoměřice u Tábora, 2 km north of the village, 520 m, N 49°30' E 14°49', Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, 27. IX. 1991, leg. et det. M. Beran ut S. imbricatus, rev. P. Hrouda 17. 8. 2004 ut S. cf. squamosus (LI)
    • Jedlany, forest "Doub", 480 m, Q 6554a, Pinus, Calluna, Vaccinium, 10. X. 1993, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB; cit. in Papoušek 2004)
    • Podolí (SSE of Milevsko), "Křenovický (Křenský) les" forest between P. and Jetětice, ± 500 m, Picea, Pinus, 6. X. 2001, not. F. Kotlaba
    • Roudná, 300 m west of railway station, 405 m, Q 6754a, sandy Pinus forest, 27. IX. 2000, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Záluží near Vlastiboř, forest "V Horkách", sandy soil, Calluna undergrowth, Pinus, 5. X. 1991, leg. et det. František Kotlaba ut S. imbricatus, rev. F. Kotlaba et Z. Pouzar 9. 3. 2000 (PRM)
    • Třebovice (military area Boletice), 690 m, Q 7150b, N 48°53'45" E 14°08', Pinus, Calluna, Vaccinium, 20. X. 2002, leg. T. Papoušek, det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Šalmanovice, 475 m, Q 7154b, Pinus, Calluna, Vaccinium, 1. X. 1998, leg. et det. T. Papoušek (Papoušek 2004)
    • Malonty, "Hodonický potok" stream, Picea, 29. IX. 2002, leg. et det. M. Beran ut S. cf. imbricatus, rev. P. Hrouda 8. 8. 2005; Picea (+ Pinus), 8. X. 2004, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Pulčín, "Pulčínské skály" rocks, 30 m NW of junction of tourist paths, Fagus, Pinus, IX. 1994, leg. et det. T. Kukulka ut S. imbricatus, rev. P. Hrouda 21. 2. 2005 (OSM)
    Localities recorded in the 1980s - Czech Republic:
    • Holostřevy, Pinus, 11. X. 1983, leg. et det. Z. Hájek ut S. imbricatus, rev. P. Hrouda (PL)
    • Žehrov, young Pinus forest, 27. IX. 1986, leg. et det. J. Sedláček ut S. imbricatus, rev. P. Hrouda 21. 11. 2003 (LIM)
    • Trhový Štěpánov, hill "Hůrka", 17. IX. 1986, leg. E. Dlouhý, det. Z. Pouzar ut S. imbricatus, rev. P. Hrouda 24. 2. 2005 (PRM)
    • Hlinice, 1,5 km east of the village, 440 m, N 49°26' E 14°45', Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, 27. IX. 1986, leg. et det. M. Beran ut S. imbricatus, rev. P. Hrouda 17. 8. 2004 ut S. cf. squamosus (LI)
    Distribution in Central Europe. Species distinguished with certainty only in the past few years; this fact has some influence on its knowledge. Probably it occurs more commonly than can be shown in the distribution map, which is based only on critically identified specimens. Kotlaba et Pouzar (2000) present the hypothesis that Sarcodon squamosus occurs more often than the real Sarcodon imbricatus – they described its occurrence in Bohemia (especially southern Bohemia), which can be expected according to the quantity of Pinus forests. The southern half of Bohemia can be considered as one of the distribution centres of S. squamosus; another one is found in Niederösterreich and Burgenland (recently Lockenhaus, 2001, in Hausknecht and Klofac 2004), and recent distribution range of this species covers almost whole lowland area of Poland and eastern Germany (most of the localities mapped by Otto 1992 under S. imbricatus certainly belong to S. squamosus, except Thüringen). Recently its occurrence has not been confirmed in northwestern Germany, only isolated localities are known from southern Germany and Tirol, as well as the Carpathian region.
     

    Sarcodon leucopus (Pers.) Maas Geest. et Nannf.

    Description. Pileus about 100 mm in width, light- to dark brown, at first tomentose, later radially fibrillose towards the margin and areolate or with appressed squamules in the centre; the scales are darker on a lighter (to yellow-brown) ground. Stipe concolorous, mainly in the lower part paler, appressed squamulose with age. Spines at first whitish, later brown. Context whitish with a brown or violet, after some time sometimes also light-green hue, not changing colour in KOH. Expulsions of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections present. Spores with conspicuous angular warts, (6.7-)7.2-7.6(-9) x 4.5-5.6 µm.
    Related species. S. imbricatus has pronounced scales with raised tips or completely erect at least in the centre of the pileus. S. squamosus has adjacent, but conspicuous dark brown scales; these two species do not have such an unpleasant smell as S. leucopus. Fresh basidiomes of S. versipellis are brightly orange and the spores of this species have broad rounded warts. S. glaucopus has a similarly light and areolate pileus, but the base of its stipe is grey-green. S. lundellii lacks clamp-connections and it has small spores, 5-6 µm.
    Occurrence. Rare species, probably quite threatened; there are only few recent records also in surrounding countries. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "CR" (critically endangered).
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions coniferous trees. In Slovakia S. leucopus was found also in deciduous woods. The most frequent accompanying tree is Picea, which occurs in 64 % of localities.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Rare occurrence in isolated localities especially in higher altitudes. The last record from Bohemia dates from 1955, in Moravia and Slovakia it has been found in the beginning of the 1980s (Ratíškovice, 1982; Kuchyňa, 1980).
    List of recorded localities - Czech Republic:
    • Valley of the Vltava river between Zvíkov and Červená - valley of stream "Kučeřský potok", Picea, 17. VIII. 1955, leg. et det. M. Svrček ut S. laevigatus (PRM)
    • Svojanov, Picea-Abies-Betula forest, 21. VI. 1949, leg. J. Kubička det. Z. Pouzar ut S. laevigatus (PRM)
    • Veverská Bítýška, "Hranečník" forest along the road to Lažánky, Picea forest with Abies undergrowth, 17. X. 1960, leg. et det. F. Šmarda ut S. laevigatus (BRNM)
    • Ratíškovice, forest "Roztrhánky", Pinus sylvestris, 11. IX. 1982, leg. V. Koplík et A. Vágner, det. A. Vágner ut S. fuligineo-violaceus, rev. P. Hrouda 24. 2. 2005 (PRM)
    • Partutovice [= Bartelsdorf], VIII.-IX. 1934, leg. et det. F. Petrak ut S. laevigatus, conf. R. A. Maas Geesteranus 22. 1. 1961 (M), conf. P. Hrouda 31. 7. 2003 (W)
    • Semetín near Vsetín, 20. VII. 1953, leg. F. Šmarda, det. Z. Pouzar ut S. laevigatus (BRNM)
    • Javorníky Mts., Nový Hrozenkov, cirque, Picea-Abies forest, 600 m, 23. VII. 1953, leg. F. Šmarda, det. Z. Pouzar ut S. laevigatus (BRNM)
    — Slovakia:
    • Brodské, Pinus-Quercus forest, 9. IX. 1973, leg. et det. A. Dermek ut Hydnum leucopus (BRA)
    • Kuchyňa, Vývrať, Quercus-Fagus-Carpinus forest, 8. VIII. 1972, leg. A. Dermek (Dermek 1973. ut Hydnum laevigatum), 20. IX. 1980, leg. R. Režďovič, det. A. Dermek ut S. laevigatus (BRA)
    • Svätý Jur, Fagus forest, 21. IX. 1965, leg. et det. I. Fábry ut S. laevigatus (BRA)
    • Raková, "Korcháň" valley, Picea forest, 19. VII. 1964, leg. et det. J. Veselský ut S. laevigatus (BRNM)
    • Oravská priehrada, Ústie, "Jedličník" hill, west of Ústie, 750 m, 25. VII. 1894, leg. et det. S. Truchlý ut Hydnum laevigatum (BRA)
    • "Važecké lúky", north of the road Východná - Važec, Picea forest, 950 m, 14. IX. 1970, leg. J. Kuthan, det. Z. Pouzar ut S. laevigatus (PRM, BRA)
    • Lendak, Picea forest, 800 m, 11. VIII. 1957, leg. et det. B. Ježek, J. Kubička et K. Kříž ut S. laevigatus (BRNM)
    — Not localised site:
    • Nitov, "Pýšna" hill, 1018 m, 2. IX. 1892, leg. et det. S. Truchlý ut Hydnum laevigatum (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. A rare species, which has been supposed to be a species of higher altitudes, but it occurs in the lowlands as well. Its occurrence has been documented from the Outer Western Carpathians (Beskydy and surrounding mountains, Malé Karpaty Mts. and surroundings, last records in 1980), continuing in southern Niederösterreich (Mollram, 1990, WU), northern Steiermark (Vorberg above Kulm, 2002, WU), southern Oberösterreich (Grünburg, 1993, LI), Tirol, Oberbayern and Baden-Württemberg. In the past there were only a few isolated localities in western Moravia, Bohemia and the rest of Bavaria and the occurrence of Sarcodon leucopus has probably not been recently confirmed there. Further recent locality is situated in Sachsen (Oberlichtenau near Kamenz, 1985, GLM), with few old records from eastern Germany (according to Otto 1992).
    Specimens of Hydnum ebneri Wettst. from the locus classicus (Tirol, Trins in Gschnitztal valley, typus deposited in GZU) are considered to be basidiomes of Sarcodon leucopus; as such they were revised by Maas Geesteranus in W and by Michelitsch in GJO.
     

    Sarcodon versipellis (Fr.) Quél.

    There are some specimens in the herbaria Prague (PRM) and Bratislava (BRA) named Hydnum (Sarcodon) balsamiodorus Pouz. in schaedis or Hydnum (Sarcodon) balsamiolens Pouz. in schaedis. The description of fresh type material (collected 20. VII. 1969 at Raková near Čadca, Slovakia), kindly offered to me by Z. Pouzar, is adduced here in comparison with the appearance of the same fungus more than 20 years later, as there is the opportunity to see it personally in Prague herbarium.
    The fresh pileus is about 80 mm wide, early flatly infundibuliform, mostly obvolutely bent, even split, coloured ochreous-orange, its surface is smooth with innate squamules; the pileus of the exsiccate is beige, ochraceous to light brown, quite smooth, the squamules can only be seen, not touched. The fresh stipe is 40-50 mm long, 18-28 mm thick, cylindrical, peak prolonged in the lower part, the colour of its surface is orange-brown; the stipe of the exsiccate changed its colour like the pileus and is smooth. The spines are not silvery in the fresh material (in contrast to Sarcodon fennicus (P.  Karst.) P.  Karst.), there is a strange odour from the fresh spines, somewhat like camphor (different from the odour of Hydnellum suaveolens (Scop.: Fr.) P.  Karst., not so sweet - compared with fresh material); the spines of the exsiccate are brown to purple-brown, decurrent to the stipe. The fresh context is light white-greenish on cutting; the context of exsiccate is beige to nearly white (distinctly lighter than the surface of the pileus), the green hue has disappeared; it does not change its colour by reaction with a  KOH solution (examined only on the exsiccate).
    If we add the microscopic characters of our specimens to this description, oblately tuberculiform, 4-5 µm large spores and the presence of clamp-connections on the hyphae, it is evident that specimens preserved in the mentioned herbaria under the name of Sarcodon balsamiodorus (or S. balsamiolens) belong to the species Sarcodon versipellis (Fr.) Quél.


    Description. Pileus about 80 mm in width, orange-brown, lighter towards the margin, dried brownish (or yellowish to greyish) coloured, appressed squamulose to fibrillose towards the margin, the squamules and fibrils being darker brown. Stipe concolorous or lighter. Spines whitish to purple-brown. Context white, greyish only in the base of the stipe and where the pileus passes into the stipe; not changing colour in KOH. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections present. Spores irregularly tuberculiform, 4.5-5.5 x 3.5-4.5 µm.
    Related species. S. fennicus is similarly orange-ochraceous, but does not have scales on its pileus, the base of the stipe is grey-green and it does not have clamp-connections. A grey-green stipe base and the absence of clamp-connections is characteristic of S. glaucopus, too. The fresh pileus of S. leucopus is brown (not brightly orange as the pileus of S. versipellis) and its at least 7 x 4.5 mm large spores have conspicuous angular warts.
    Occurrence. Rare species, not found in the Czech Republic for almost 50 years (probably extinct here). Great decline also in surrounding countries, threatened species! In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "?EX" (probably extinct).
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions its occurrence in coniferous (Picea) and mixed (Abies, Fagus) woods; it was always found under coniferous trees in Czechoslovakia, Picea occurs everywhere with one exception (Abies).
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Collected (except for one collection from the 1930s) in a few isolated localities in mountainous and submountainous areas of the Carpathians. J. Kuthan’s note on the label of the collection documented in PRM as Hydnum balsamiolens from Fačkov (north-western Slovakia), 2. VIII. 1970, adds: "It is interesting that it occurs on basic substrate, although in Raková (other locality, also north-western Slovakia) are zones with calcareous breccia. May be it is a calciphilous species."
    List of recorded localities - Czech Republic:
    • Libějovické Svobodné Hory, forest on "Holička" hill, Picea, 550 m, VII. 1936, leg. J. Herink, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Podhoří [= Podhorn], VII. 1913, leg. et det. F. Petrak ut Hydnum v. (W)
    • [Mähr. Weisskirchen: Poschka], IX. 1927, leg. et det. F. Petrak ut Hydnum versipelle (M)
    • Kateřinice near Vsetín, "Dubcové kopce" (= hill "Dubcová"), 31. VII. 1944, leg. V. Pospíšil (Kubička 1971)
    — Slovakia:
    • Raková, "Korcháň" valley, Picea-Pinus-Abies forest, 650 m, 15. VII. 1967, leg. J. Kuthan, det. Z. Pouzar ut Hydnum balsamiolens (PRM), 28. VII. 1974, leg. et det. J. Kuthan ut Hydnum balsamiodorum; Picea, 650 m, 14. VII. 1968, leg. et det. J. Kuthan ut Hydnum balsamiodorum (both BRA); Picea-Abies-Fagus forest, leg. J. Kuthan, det. Z. Pouzar ut Hydnum balsamiodorum (PRM); 600 m, Picea, Abies, 20. VII. 1968, leg. et det. J. Kuthan ut Hydnum laevigatum, rev. P. Hrouda 28. 11. 2003 (BRA)
    • Fačkov, valley of Rybná stream under "Čierna skala", Picea-Juniperus forest, 2. VIII. 1970, leg. J. Kuthan, det. J. Kuthan et Z. Pouzar ut Hydnum balsamiolens (PRM); Pinus-Picea forest, 500 m, 16. VIII. 1973, leg. et det. J. Kuthan ut Hydnum balsamiodorum (BRA)
    • Sklené Teplice, Picea-Pinus-Abies forest, 500 m, 15. VII. 1971, leg. et det. J. Kuthan ut Hydnum balsamiodorum (BRA)
    • Liptovský Ján, "Jánska dolina" valley, under Picea in Pinus-Picea forest, 700 m, 14. VII. 1985, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Mt. Osobitá (West Tatras), slope, Abies, 1200 m, 6. VIII. 1977, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • "Važecké lúky", north of the road Východná - Važec, Pinus-Picea forest, 850 m, 20. IX. 1970, leg. et det. J. Kuthan ut Hydnum balsamiodorum; 700 m, 17. IX. 1972, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (both BRA)
    • Červený Kláštor, Picea-Abies forest, 550 m, 17. VII. 1971, leg. et det. J. Kuthan ut Hydnum balsamiodorum (BRA)
    • Vyšné Ružbachy, Picea-Pinus-Larix forest, 650 m, 17. VII. 1971, leg. et det. J. Kuthan ut Hydnum balsamiodorum (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. Sarcodon versipellis is a species of mountainous habitats, occurring mainly in mountain Picea (rarely also Abies) forests. It is correspondingly rare species with two distinct distribution centres – the first of them covers the Carpathians in (mainly central part of) Slovakia. Possibly more important is the second centre in Tirol and Oberbayern, where the species has been regularly found to date (5 collections in the late 1980s and 1990s). Beside these ones, there are isolated localities in Bodental (Kärnten, 1994, WU), near Annarotte (Niederösterreich, 1993, WU) and a few older ones in Baden-Württemberg (Aixheim, 1968, STU) and Thüringen (Otto 1992). S. versipellis is probably extinct outside this area.
     

    Sarcodon scabrosus (Fr.) P. Karst.

    Description. Pileus about 75 mm in width, soon breaking up into scales appressed on the margin, erect in the centre, red-brown, brown to black-brown, contrasting with the pale ground. Stipe fleshy-brown or concolorous with the scales of the pileus, turning to grey-, blue- or black-green, covered by whitish mycelium towards its base. Spines pale, slowly turning brown. Context whitish, grey-green in the base of the stipe, turning blue-green in KOH. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections absent. Spores with conspicuous prolonged angular warts, (5.4-)6.3-7.3 x (3.6-)4-5 µm.
    Related species. The scales of S. glaucopus are appressed also in the centre of the pileus (erect in S. scabrosus) and its spores have round warts. S. regalis is violet coloured in the lower part of stipe. The stipe of S. imbricatus and S. squamosus lacks the grey-green base; the taste of these two species is at most slightly bitterish (clearly acrid-bitter in S. scabrosus). S. lundellii has small spores, 5-6 µm, and it also lacks the grey-green base of stipe. The context of S. joeides and S. fuligineoviolaceus is pink or violet.
    Occurrence. Relatively abundant species, showing a slight decline during the last decades. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "EN" (endangered).
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions both coniferous (mostly Pinus) and deciduous (Fagaceae - Quercus, Castanea) trees. There are collections from deciduous forests in our country too, but collections from coniferous ones dominate. In southern Bohemia, the dominant accompanying tree is Pinus (it is correspondingly the most frequent accompanying tree in the Czech Republic, which occurs in 70 % of localities), whereas other coniferous and deciduous trees (Pinaceae, Fagaceae) occur also in other areas in Central Europe.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Abundant occurrence in southern Bohemia, where the species is still collected relatively often, in other regions are only isolated localities or groups of localities.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Nedvědice (TA), site "V starém" NW of the village, Picea (+ Pinus, Abies etc.), 27.  VIII.  2001, not. F.  Kotlaba
    • Vlastiboř, forest "Herolnice", 430 m, Pinus, vaccinium, sandy forest, 5. X. 1991, leg. et det. V. Pravda, vidi P. Hrouda
    • Klec (TA), dam of fishpond "Naděje" 1,5 km N of the village, Salix alba, Quercus robur, Pinus, 10. IX. 1996, leg. et det. T. Papoušek (Papoušek 2004); mixed forest (Quercus, Salix, Populus tremula, Pinus), 19. IX. 1997, leg. Miloslava Dobešová, det. Tomáš Papoušek, conf. P. Hrouda 16. 8. 2002 (HR)
    • Čeřejov, 1,8 km NE, hill "Borovanský vrch", 490 m, Q 7153b, N 48°52’50" E 14°38’20", Pinus sylvestris, sandy forest, 24. IX. 1995, leg. et det. V. Bícha (LI)
    • Daleké Popelice, 680-710 m, Q 7253d, Pinus, Vaccinium (+ Picea), 7.  IX.  2002, leg. T.  Papoušek, det. M.  Beran (CB)
    • Lužnice, hill "Lužnický vrch" (hinder bus stop), N 48°41’33" E 14°37’58", Picea, young cultural forest, 21. IX. 2002, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Choceň (UO), 3 km west of the town, site "Čertův dub", 352 m, Pinus (+ Picea), 20.  IX.  2002, leg. et det. Libor Tmej ut Hydnum scabrosum
    Localities recorded in the 1980s - Czech Republic:
    • Trhový Štěpánov, hill "Hůrka", 17. IX. 1986, leg. E. Dlouhý, det. Z. Pouzar ut Hydnum s. (PRM)
    • Těšínov near Protivín, "Těšínovské polesí" forest, Picea, Fagus, Quercus, young stand, 20. VIII. 1984, leg. J. Staněk, det. J. Kubička (CB)
    • Klec (TA), dam of fishpond "Naděje" 1,5 km N of the village, Salix alba, 26. VII. 1987, leg. et det. T. Papoušek (CB)
    • Cep near Suchdol nad Lužnicí, margin of fishpond "Cepský nový", Pinus, Vaccinium, sandy forest, 23. VII. 1983, leg. et det. J. Kubička (CB)
    • Klení, 620 m, mixed forest with dominating Pinus, 6. X. 1985, leg. T. Papoušek, det. F. Tondl (CB)
    — Slovakia:
    • Bystrička, mountain meadow "Lazy" 2 km NW of the village, 550 m, Picea 30. VII. 1983, leg. P. Tolnay, det. K. Tolnay; hill "Hrádok" 2 km NWW of Bystrička, 590 m, Pinus, Picea, 21. VIII. 1983, leg. et det. L. Hagara; 1,5 km NW of Bystrička, Picea, 25. VII. 1984, leg. et det. K. Tolnay (all BRA)
    • Važec, "Kozie chrbty", slope of hill "Múry", 930 m, Pinus, Picea, 13. IX. 1988, leg. P. Škubla, det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Štrbské Pleso, site "Uhliščata", slope of hill "Spálený vrch", 1000 m, Picea (+ Pinus, Larix), 15. VIII. 1981, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. A rather rare species with a distribution similar to Hydnellum ferrugineum – recently a common occurrence in southern Bohemia extending to Niederösterreich, scattered localities in other parts of the Czech Republic, Slovak Carpathians (except above mentioned localities, formerly also Beskydy Mts., Bukovské vrchy Mts.), Vasa region in Hungary (Otto 1992), eastern and central Austria, southern Baden and northern Bavaria (recently Weisbach, 2002, cit. in Krieglsteiner 2004), Rheinland-Pfalz, Niedersachsen, Mecklenburg, Brandenburg, Thüringen, Sachsen and Poland.
     

    Sarcodon glaucopus Maas Geest. et Nannf.

    Description. Pileus about 50 mm in width, pale, yellowish to brown, pink coloured or here and there with greyish hue, smooth until maturity or areolate in the centre, scaly towards the margin (brown squamulae on a lighter ground), darker in the centre. Stipe brown in the upper part, grey-green in the lower part, base whitish. Spines whitish, later brown. Context whitish, grey-green in the base of the stipe, turning blue-green in KOH. Yellowish dots of expulsed substance may appear on the pileus surface after drying. Clamp-connections absent. Spores with not very conspicuous rounded warts, (5-)5.4-5.8(-6.3) x (3.6-)4-4.5 µm.
    Related species. S. lepidus grows in deciduous forests. S. scabrosus has a grey-green stipe base too, but the surface of its pileus is darker brown (light brown in S. glaucopus) with conspicuously ascendent or erect scales in its centre. S. regalis is violet coloured in the lower part of stipe. The only other species with a grey-green stipe base and whitish context is S. fennicus, but this has an ochraceous pileus without scales and its context does not change colour in KOH. The similarly light coloured S. leucopus does not have a grey-green stipe base. The spores of S. scabrosus and S. leucopus have angular warts.
    Occurrence. Always rare species, individual finds till now. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "EN" (endangered).
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions coniferous trees which is confirmed by our records. The number of records is, however, too small to make any detailed conclusions.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Rare occurrence in isolated localities. Recently it is known probably only from southern Bohemia, in Slovakia it was found in High Tatras.
    Recent occurrence (since 1990) - Czech Republic:
    • Hlinice, forest "Velký hutecký les", 450 m, Q 6554c, Picea, 5. IX. 1998, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB; photo Beran); Picea (cultural forest with Pinus), 18. VIII. 2000, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB; cit. in Papoušek 2004)
    • Klení, forest behind the cottages, Pinus, Vaccinium, (+ young Picea), 20. VIII. 2000, leg. et det. M. Beran (CB)
    • Daleké Popelice, 680-710 m, Q 7253d, Pinus, Vaccinium (+ Picea), 7.  IX.  2002, leg. et det. T.  Papoušek ut S. scabrosus, rev. M.  Beran (CB)
    • Lužnice, hill "Lužnický vrch", Picea, young cultural forest, 21.  IX.  2002, leg. et det. M.  Beran ut S.  scabrosus, rev. P.  Hrouda (CB)
    — Slovensko:
    • Vyšné Hágy, 1 km south of the village, 1000 m, Q 6886d, Picea abies (together with Hydnellum peckii), 5. IX. 2002, leg. et det. Petr Hrouda (BRNU)
    Older recorded localities - Czech Republic:
    • Žebrák, Pinus, 16. VIII. 1953, leg. B. et F. Hřebíkovi, det. Z. Pouzar ut S. fennicus, rev. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Čechtice, "Dvorce" forest, Picea, 15. IX. 1968, leg. V. Brambora, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM)
    • Velká Losenice, 1912 (Holub 1926, ut Hydnum amarescens)
    • Veverská Bítýška, "Hranečník" forest along the road to Lažánky, Picea forest with Abies undergrowth, 2. IX. 1951, leg. K. Kříž, 28. IX. 1960, leg. F. Šmarda, both det. F. Šmarda ut S. amarescens (BRNM)
    • Brno (mushroom exhibition), 29. VIII. 1960 (Kříž, Svrček et Šmarda 1961)
    • Zdravá Voda near Žarošice, Pinus-Picea forest, 27. VIII. 1949, leg. et det. V. Vacek (PRM)
    — Slovakia:
    • Štrbské Pleso, "Uhliščata", slope of hill "Spálený vrch", Picea, 1000 m, 14. IX. 1989, leg. et det. J. Kuthan (BRA)
    • Raková, "Korcháň" valley, Pinus-Picea-Abies forest, 11. VIII. and 8. IX. 1968, leg. J. Kuthan, det. Z. Pouzar ut S. amarescens; Picea forest, 11. X. 1970, leg. et det. J. Kuthan ut S. amarescens (all BRA)
    Distribution in Central Europe. Rare species with scattered localities. Recently it is known from southern Bohemia and adjacent Niederösterreich (Streitbach near Zwettl, 2001, WU), northern Slovakia, westernmost Hungary (Szakonyfalu, 1958, BP), Steiermark (Feldbach, 1982, GZU), Vorarlberg (Damüls, 1995, WU, cit. in Krisai-Greilhuber et al. 1997), southern Baden (Wolterdingen, 1990, STU, cit. in Gminder 1991), northern Bayern (Sperbeslohe in Mittelfranken, 1993, WU), and Brandenburg (Pinus, Krugau, 2000, LZ), formerly known from Sachsen and Thüringen.
     

    Sarcodon fennicus (P. Karst.) P. Karst.

    Description. Pileus about 50 mm in width, ochraceous, yellow-brown, without scales, fibrillose, or with darker scales on a pale ground. Stipe concolorous in upper part, grey-green in below, with whitish mycelium on its base. Spines whitish to brown. Context whitish, grey-green in the base of the stipe, not changing colour in KOH. Expulsion of liquid not observed. Clamp-connections absent. Spores with not very conspicuous rounded warts, 6.3-7.6 x 4.5-5.2 µm.
    Related species. S. versipellis is similarly orange-brown and almost scaleless, but this species does not have a grey-green stipe base. The grey-green stipe base is also characteristic of S. glaucopus, but its pileus is almost always areolate or (at least appressed) squamulose and its context turns green to blue-green in KOH. S. regalis is violet coloured in the lower part of stipe. S. lepidus grows in deciduous forests.
    Occurrence. Very rare species. In Red List of Czech macromycetes it is classified in category "CR" (critically endangered).
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions coniferous trees, which is confirmed in the Czech Republic.
    Distribution in Czechia and Slovakia. Rare occurrence in isolated localities; the species is not known from Slovakia and probably extinct in Moravia.
    List of recorded localities - Czech Republic:
    • Karlštejn, forest in the direction of Mořina, occurrence in the 1950s (verbal report of Z. Pouzar); Picea, 3. IX. 1960, leg. et det. Babosné et Bohus ut S. scabrosum, rev. P. Hrouda 28. 3. 2005 (BP)
    • Babice, old Pinus forest, VIII. 1919, leg. O. Zvěřinová (Velenovský 1922)
    • Buzice, hamlet Buzičky, "Buzíček" forest, Picea, 450 m, 5. VIII. 1974, leg. J. Herink, det. Z. Pouzar (PRM/Herink)
    • Týn nad Vltavou, "Bedrník" forest, Picea, 4. VII. 1965, leg. B. Karlasová, det. M. Svrček (PRM)
    • Počátky, "Válcha", 1929 (Sak 1930)
    • Hrabůvka, coniferous forest, IX. 1921, leg. et det. F. Petrak ut Hydnum repandum, rev. P. Hrouda 25. 3. 2005 (W), 26. 5. 2005 (B)
    Distribution in Central Europe. Formerly rare, currently almost extinct species in the region. Recently it has been documented from Baden-Württemberg (Wolterdingen in southern Baden, 1990; Zwiefalten in Schwäbische Alb, 1970, both STU), central Tirol (Hungerburg near Innsbruck, 2002; St. Martin in Gnadenwald, 1975, both IB; Tschirgant hill near Strad, 1968, HBG), and southern Bohemia (see above). A few old records from Moravia and eastern Austria have not been confirmed during the last 70 years.
     

    Sarcodon joeides (Pass.) Bataille

    Description. Pileus about 60 mm in width, sinuous, areolate or appressed scaly, pale brown to fleshy brown, more ochre after drying. Stipe concolorous with the pileus, sometimes grey-green at its base. Spines at first pale, then brown. Context at first pink, later violet in the pileus above the spines and in the stipe, grey in the base of the stipe, turning blue-green in KOH. Yellowish dots of expulsed substance may appear on the pileus surface after drying. Clamp-connections absent. Spores with conspicuous angular warts, 5.4-5.8 x 3.6-4.2 µm.
    Related species. S. lepidus, growing also in deciduous forests, lacks pink colour in context; S. joeides is distinguished from all other species except S. fuligineoviolaceus by the pink or violet context, but the latter grows only in coniferous woods.
    Accompanying trees. According to the literature deciduous trees, mostly Quercus, but also Castanea and Fagus.
    Slovak find of Sarcodon joeides:
    • Malé Karpaty Mts. (western Slovakia), Vývrať near Kuchyňa, Quercus-Fagus-Carpinus forest, 8. VIII. 1972, leg. et det. A. Dermek ut Hydnum commutatum (Dermek 1973).
    Distribution in Central Europe. Very rare species with several recent localities in western Slovakia (see above), Niederösterreich (Neupurkersdorf in Wienerwald, 1989, WU), Baden (Hausach in Schwarzwald, 1982, STU; Fagus occurs at all three localities, although mixed with other deciduous trees), Pfalzer Wald (Birkweiler near Landau, Castanea, 1980, M), Westfalen („Paulinen-Allee“ near Tatenhausen, Quercus, 1987, MSTR), Niedersachsen (Düngel, 1987, in Wöldecke 1998), Mecklenburg (Neumühler See and Pinnower See, both in sandy Fagus forest, 1994, LZ), and Niederlausitz (Schlaubetal near Guben, bank of „Schulzenwasser“, mixed deciduous forest, 1987, LZ). Otto (1992) reports the species also from central Brandenburg (Drewitz/Potsdam).
     

    Sarcodon fuligineoviolaceus (Kalchbr. in Fr.) Pat.

    Description. Pileus about 70 mm in width, red-brown to dark brown, sometimes with blackish hue, innately squamulose. Stipe concolorous with the pileus, paler when young. Spines brown. Context at first pink, later blue-grey-violet in the pileus, with red hue in the stipe and grey-green in its base, turning blue-green in KOH. Yellowish dots of expulsed substance may appear on the surface of the pileus after drying. Clamp-connections absent. Spores with more or less conspicuous acute warts, 5.4-6.5 x 4-4.7(-5.4) µm.
    Related species. The pink or violet context distinguishes S. fuligineoviolaceus from all other species except S. joeides, which grows only in deciduous woods.
    Accompanying trees. The literature mentions coniferous trees (Abies, Picea, Pinus).
    Slovak find of Sarcodon fuligineoviolaceus:
    • Near Spišské Vlachy (eastern Slovakia), Pinus sylvestris [in pinetis Carpatorum ad Olaszi], IX. 1870, leg. et det. K. Kalchbrenner ut Hydnum fuligineo-violaceum (preserved in UPS; cit. in Maas Geesteranus 1960, 1975).
    Distribution in Central Europe. Besides the type locality in eastern Slovakia, from which the species has not been confirmed later, there are two localities in Austria: Bodental in southern Kärnten (1971, HBG), Seefeld in central Tirol (1975, IB), and four in Germany: Upflamör in Mittlere Donaualb (latest 1974, STU), Lauf in Oberrheingebiet, vicinity of Tuttlingen (1979) and vicinity of Wüstenstein (Oberfranken, 1979; the three latter localities according to Krieglsteiner 1991, 2000). Recent occurrence of S. fuligineoviolaceus in Central Europe is very probably limited to these regions; only old localities are known from rest of the German area – Hessen (Darmstadt, 1936, M), Thüringen and Sachsen (Otto 1992 reports the lates find in 1955).
     

    Species of the genus Sarcodon, known in surrounding countries

    Sarcodon regalis. Species related to Sarcodon scabrosus, most similar just to this species. It differs in presence of violet hue on the stipe base and smaller spores (6-6.5 µm). Very rare species growing in coniferous forests.
    Baden-Württemberg: Tuttlingen, Russberg and Witthoh Wald, 1971, preserved in herbarium L (Maas Geesteranus 1975) remain the only known localities in the region. Besides Germany, the species is known from France and Great Britain (Krieglsteiner 2000).

    Sarcodon lepidus. Species from the same group, with grey-green base of stipe. Basidiome is pale coloured, ochraceous to light-brown; squamulae on pileus darker, adjacent or at most with raised tips. Stipe often tapering towards its base. Similarly rare species growing in deciduous forests.
    Very rare species with few recent localities. Poland: Lódź, „Las Łagiewnicki“ forest (Quercus, 1974, LOD, originally identified as S. laevigatus = S. imbricatus). Germany: Sachsen, Mönau near Hoyerswerda, „Mönauer Teiche“ (Quercus, 1999 and 2001, LZ), and Thüringen, Krimderode near Nordhausen, „Gipshügel“ (Quercus + Betula, 1985, JE). Possible other German locality is in Baden, Schönberg near Freiburg (during last 15 years, not. G. Saar in letter to P. Otto – according to his information the recorded species should also be S. lepidus).

    Sarcodon lundellii. Species similar to Sarcodon imbricatus (colour of pileus) or S. squamosus (adjacent scales); it differs in absence of clamps and small spores (5-6 µm). Growth in coniferous forests.
    Nordic species (occurring in northern Europe: Finland, Sweden and Norway, see Hansen et Knudsen 1997) with only one known find in Central Europe: Austria, Niederösterreich, Streitbach near Zwettl, 2001, WU.

    Sarcodon martioflavus. Pileus ochraceous to brown, with velutinous surface. Stipe concolorous, with conspicuous oranfe felt in lower part, which may be darker on dry carpophores (if this character is well developed, the species is well distinguishable and almost cannot be confused with another species). Very rare species growing in coniferous forests.
    Probably only four localities of Sarcodon martioflavus are known from Germany: Weidhausen near Coburg in northern Bayern (1970, M, cit. in Engel 1973; 1977, STU) and Hagelloch in Schönbuch hills, Schwenningen and Schramberg-Sulgen in Ostschwarzwald (1993, the latest record) in Baden-Württemberg (Krieglsteiner 2000). The specimen of S. martioflavus cited by Škubla (2003) from Slovakia does not represent this species (an old polypore with a broken hymenophore, probably Phaeolus schweinitzii). In Europe the species is also known from Switzerland (canton Uri, 1970) and Norway (Maas Geesteranus 1975).


    For completing:
    Hydnaceae Chev.

    Hydnum L.: Fr.

    /synonym: Dentinum Gray/

    Long-standing dispute about the typification of the name Hydnum L.: Fr. have ended on the 13th Botanical Congress in Sydney 1981, where the species Hydnum repandum L.: Fr. has been conserved as the type species of the genus Hydnum. The name Dentinum Gray is the definitely only synonym of the genus name Hydnum, whereas brown-spored species formerly classified under the generic name Hydnum have to be classified in the genus Sarcodon P. Karst. and their combinations with the generic name Hydnum are definitely only synonyms.

    Pileate and stipitate basidiome. Pileus convex, sometimes depressed in centre, smooth on the surface, whitish to orange. Stipe whitish to creme. Context fleshy, fragile, non-zoned, white or pale coloured, monomitic. Hyphae thin-walled, inflated in the pileus, clamp-connections present. Basidia clavate or cylindric, most often with 3-4 spores (rarely with 1, 2 or 5-7 spores). Spores globose to elliptic, smooth, colourless. Cystidia absent.
    Typový druh: Hydnum repandum L.: Fr.

    Key to the Central European species (according to: Ostrow et Beenken 2004, cit. sec. Antonín 2005, modified):
    • 1 ) Basidiomes whitish; spores 4-5,5 x 3-4 µm
    • ... H. albidum
    • 1*) Basidiomes pale to orange; spores longer than 5,5 µm
      • 2 ) Basidiomes large, pileus up to 15 cm in width, beige or pale orange coloured; stipe rather short, clavate, often infleted at the base, rate of pileus width to stipe length approximates to 2; spines subuliform, pale creme
      • ... H. repandum
      • 2*) Basidiomes smaller, pileus 3-5(-8) cm in width, orange coloured; stipe cylindric, rather long, rate of pileus width to stipe length is distinctly less than 2; spines subuliform, ± irregularly flattened, orange
        • 3 ) Spores globose to widely elliptic, 6,5-8,5(-9) x 5,5-7 µm
        • … H. rufescens
        • 3*) Spores elliptic to almost cylindriform, 9-11(-12) x 6-7 µm
        • ... H. ellipsosporum

    Hydnum repandum L.: Fr.

    Description. Pileus 5-15 cm in width, pale orange, creme, beige to whitish. Stipe clavate, rather short (usually shorter than pileus width), it might be also slightly excentric, gradually passing into pileus, usually concolorous or slightly paler than pileus. Spines subuliform, pale, decurrent. Context whitish. Spores globose to widely oval, 6,5-9 x 5,5-7 µm.
    Related species. Stipe of Hydnum rufescens and H. ellipsosporum is clearly delimited from the pileus, the spines are non-decurrent and darker orange. H. albidum is wholly pale and has small spores up to 6 µm. Theoretical possibility of confusion of the Hydnum species with older basidiomes of Albatrellus confluens with broken pores (looking like spines) is not very probable.
    Occurrence. Common species with stable occurrence.
    Accompanying trees. Growth mainly in deciduous, but often also in coniferous forests, mainly on basic soils.
    Distribution. As the species is rather common, all finds have not been documented or recorded (moreover, in many cases the record of H. repandum can indicate any undistinguished species of the genus Hydnum). It occurs on most of the area of the Czech Republic (its distribution in Central Europe is similar).


    Hydnum rufescens Fr.

    Description. Pileus 3-8 cm in width, orande to light ferruginous or reddish. Stipe central, cylindric, rather thin (usually up to 1 cm), commonly longer than pileus width, creme or pale orange. Spines subuliform, furcate or truncate, pale orange, nesbíhavé, stipe distinctly delimited from the pileus. Context whitish or pale orange. Spores globose to widely oval, 6,5-9 x 5,5-7 µm.
    Related species. Hydnum repandum and H. albidum have decurrent spines, their stipe is not distinctly delimited from the pileus, the whole basidiome is whitish or pale coloured. Macroscopically indistinguishable H. ellipsosporum has elliptic spores 9-11 µm long.
    Occurrence. Similarly common as previous species.
    Accompanying trees. Growth in deciduous and coniferous forests, especially in acid Fagus and Picea forests.
    Distribution. The species occurs on most of the area of the Czech Republic (similarly in Central Europe). Also at this species, all finds have not been documented or recorded (similarly as at the previous species, with which it often has been confused).


    Species of the genus Hydnum, known in surrounding countries

    Occurrence of the American species Hydnum albidum in Europe has been known for a long time – in Central Europe it is documented from Austria and Germany. It very probably occurs also in the Czech Republic, but it has not been distinguished from H. repandum till now.
    On the other hand, Hydnum ellipsosporum is newly described species (Ostrow et Beenken 2004). Compared to probable occurrence of H. albidum in Czechia, the occurrence of H. ellipsosporum can be supposed almost certainly – only it has been confused with H. rufescens till now.


    Hydnum albidum Peck. Pileus 5-8 cm in width, whitish to yellowish (also darker when dried). Stipe clavate, gradually passing into pileus. Spines thin and dense, subuliform, whitish. Context whitish. Spores globose to elliptic, 4,5-5 x 3-4 µm – the spore size is the main character, with which it can be distinguished from the other species of the genus Hydnum (the colour of H. albidum might be the same as at H. repandum). Quite rare species, growing in deciduous and coniferous forests (under Fagaceae and Pinaceae) on calcareous soil.

    Hydnum ellipsosporum H. Ostrow et L. Beenken. Species macroscopically identical with H. rufescens, from which it differs by spore size and shape - spores of H. ellipsosporum are elliptic, 9-11 x 6-7,5 µm. Probably it is not a rare species, growing mostly under Fagus and Pinus on acid soils.

     


    SYNTHESES AND CONCLUSIONS

    Altitudinal range of particular species

    As supplement to the special part, the summarising table shows the altitudinal range of the particular species in the whole of Central Europe (see Table 1; in the synthetic part, the subject of elaboration is the family Bankeraceae containing four above mentioned genera + genus Boletopsis, so far not presented in this study). The table is based on complete records from the Czech Republic and Slovakia (the altitude was found for all localities) and selected records from other countries (only the localities where the altitude was mentioned). In my opinion, such records can be taken as a representative sample – the relief of the Czech Republic (mostly lowlands or hills) is comparable to Poland and northern Germany, whereas the relief of Slovakia with dominating mountains is similar to the Alpine regions, so that the sample should show the real distribution in Central Europe. (If only localities with exactly recorded altitude are taken for all countries, the total number of records would be rather low – therefore at least the Czech and Slovak localities have been included completely.)

    Table 1. Numbers of recorded finds according to altitude.
    Last column (characteristics) shows affinity of the particular species to low or high altitudes: M = mountainous species, (M) = weakly mountainous species, 0 = species without distinct affinity to low or high altitudes, (L) = weak lowland species, L = lowland species, L+ = strong lowland species; – shows that the species has not been characterised due to low numbers of records (<5).
    number of records % of total records charact.
    Altitudes (m) 0–200 201
    –500
    501
    –800
    801
    –1100
    1101– total 0–200 201
    –500
    501
    –800
    801
    –1100
    1101– total
    Bankera fuligineoalba 1 23 10 1 35 3 66 29 3 0 100 L  
    Bankera violascens 1 15 25 13 5 59 2 25 42 22 8 100 (M)
    Phellodon niger 1 44 53 21 1 120 1 37 44 18 1 100
    Phellodon confluens 4 12 1 17 24 71 6 0 0 100 L+
    Phellodon connatus 2 43 55 11 2 113 2 38 49 10 2 100
    Phellodon tomentosus 4 46 62 24 4 140 3 33 44 17 3 100
    Hydnellum suaveolens 24 40 19 5 88 0 27 45 22 6 100 (M)
    Hydnellum caeruleum 46 34 21 2 103 0 45 33 20 2 100
    Hydnellum floriforme 2 17 21 23 3 66 3 26 32 35 5 100 (M)
    Hydnellum aurantiacum 3 3 3 9 0 33 33 33 0 100 (M)
    Hydnellum peckii 1 21 26 15 1 64 2 33 41 23 2 100
    Hydnellum mirabile 1 1 2 0 50 0 50 0 100 – 
    Hydnellum compactum 4 1 5 0 80 0 20 0 100 L  
    Hydnellum spongiosipes 1 6 1 8 12 75 12 0 0 100 L+
    Hydnellum ferrugineum 1 43 46 6 96 1 45 48 6 0 100 (L) 
    Hydnellum tardum 1 4 5 0 20 80 0 0 100
    Hydnellum scrobiculatum 24 9 7 2 42 0 57 21 17 5 100 (L) 
    Hydnellum concrescens 5 51 32 18 1 107 5 48 30 17 1 100 (L) 
    Hydnellum geogenium 2 13 8 1 24 0 8 54 33 4 100
    Sarcodon imbricatus 2 50 55 41 13 161 1 31 34 25 8 100 (M)
    Sarcodon squamosus 6 17 9 2 34 18 50 26 6 0 100 L  
    Sarcodon leucopus 2 4 7 2 1 16 12 25 44 12 6 100
    Sarcodon versipellis 3 13 3 1 20 0 15 65 15 5 100
    Sarcodon scabrosus 27 24 5 56 0 48 43 9 0 100 (L) 
    Sarcodon glaucopus 3 7 3 13 0 23 54 23 0 100 (M)
    Sarcodon fennicus 4 2 1 7 0 57 29 14 0 100 (L) 
    Sarcodon regalis 1 1 0 0 100 0 0 100 – 
    Sarcodon lepidus 1 1 100 0 0 0 0 100 – 
    Sarcodon martioflavus 1 1 0 100 0 0 0 100 – 
    Sarcodon joeides 3 3 0 100 0 0 0 100 – 
    Sarcodon fuligineoviolaceus 2 1 3 0 0 67 33 0 100 – 
    Boletopsis leucomelaena 2 11 8 2 23 0 9 48 35 9 100
    Boletopsis grisea 1 19 14 1 1 36 3 53 39 3 3 100 L  
    Total 35 559 580 259 45 1478 2 38 39 18 3 100

    Table 1 shows that species which are distinctly bound to low or high altitudes are not so common. It is more prominent with the mountainous species (the very rare and endangered Boletopsis leucomelaena, Hydnellum geogenium and Sarcodon versipellis), but also distinct lowland species (Phellodon confluens, Hydnellum spongiosipes) belong to the rare ones.


    Occurrence of Bankeraceae – historical overview

    The family Bankeraceae contains species of various ecological affinity. Several species are associated with deciduous trees (Phellodon confluens, Hydnellum compactum, H. spongiosipes, Sarcodon joeides) and the centres of their distribution are therefore in the lowlands or in low hills with dominance of deciduous forests. Also species connected (mainly or exclusively) with Pinus sylvestris, such as Boletopsis grisea, Bankera fuligineoalba, Sarcodon squamosus, Hydnellum ferrugineum, and Phellodon niger, have their distribution centres in areas of lower altitude (in Central Europe, southern Bohemia connected with northern Austria represents such centre). On the other hand, species of mountain regions (connected with Picea, may be also with Abies) are above all Sarcodon versipellis, Hydnellum geogenium, H. suaveolens, and Boletopsis leucomelaena, which have their distribution centres in the Alps and Carpathians.

    Table 2 shows numbers of recorded finds in particular countries, completed with total numbers for the entire area of Central Europe:
    Country –1915 1916–1945 1946–1960 1961–1975 1976–1990 1991–2005
    Czech Republic 79 259 407 168 84 148
    Slovakia 42 5 20 154 137 71
    Hungary 1 2 6 31 1 4
    Austria 123 180 8 141 124 160
    Southern Germany (Bavaria, Baden-Württ.) 76 22 33 131 101 44
    Northern Germany (rest of the country) 126 103 30 74 126 110
    Poland 37 19 20 91 25 14
    Central Europe – total 484 590 525 776 592 553

    The degree of mycological investigation is very different in particular countries and regions. The situation in Czechia and Slovakia was described in a cited study (Hrouda 1999) as rather permanent since World War I (in Czechia), and since 1960s (in Slovakia), respectively. In Austria, the level of mycological investigation can also be described as almost permanent (in general, of course with some local fluctuations) with exception of the 1940s and 1950s (only few records from this time). A similar situation is found in southern Germany (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg), especially since the 1960s.
    In the second half of the 20th century a decline in occurrence of the hydnaceous fungi appeared in Czechia especially in the 1970s–1980s. A rather similar situation occurred in areas with conditions similar to Czechia (e.g. northern Bavaria and northern Austria), but the decline was not so distinct there. In general, in the 1990s and the beginning of the 21st century the number of records again increases in Czechia and Austria and it is very probable that this is connected with better environmental conditions after 1990. The low total number of German records in this time can be caused by deficient data, but in northern Bavaria the decline in the 1980s and increase in the 1990s is also visible (in the 1980s, most finds in Bavaria came from the alpine region).
    In mountain areas, especially in the alpine regions of Austria and Germany and in the central Western Carpathians in Slovakia, the situation is much better. A decline in occurrence is almost unknown there and also species which became extremely rare in non-mountain areas (e.g. Hydnellum suaveolens or H. caeruleum) are less rare in the mountains. The decreasing number of finds in Slovakia is probably caused by higher mycological activity in the 1970s and 1980s than now.
    A somewhat different situation is found in Hungary, where the number of records shows a prominent peak in the 1960s, followed by a rapid decline. It is probably connected with the small area of woodland in this country (also with another composition of forests in which deciduous trees predominate), where any change is rapidly expressed in the number of fungal collections.
    Compared to the southern part of Central Europe, lowlands and hills are dominating landscape types in Poland and northern Germany (except for the mountains on the Slovak and Czech borders). Also the share of deciduous and pine forests is higher than in the mountain areas. Therefore the occurrence of some species is quite different from that described in the southern part and also the total occurrence of Bankeraceae is influenced by the different conditions in the mentioned countries.
    A comprehensibly low number of records in Germany in the post-war period (the same is visible in Poland) is followed by increasing numbers in next periods. However, the surprisingly high numbers of records in the last decades are certainly connected with the work of P. Otto since the 1980s (similar to the significant peak appearing in Czechia in the 1950s in connection with the work of Z. Pouzar). This is why especially eastern Germany is currently the best investigated area (concerning Bankeraceae), but it is hard to draw a conclusion about changes in occurrence at the end of the 20th century (compared to the previous era).
    The situation in Poland is similar to the situation in Hungary – also here a prominent peak is visible in the 1960s, followed by a rapid decrease in the next decades. There are two explanations for such rapid decrease – either a really decreasing occurrence of the fungi or lower mycological activity in later decades. To answer the question which is the right explanation, I utilise my data on the occurrence of the genera Hydnum and Auriscalpium in Poland and compare them with the data of Bankeraceae. As visible from Table 3, the truth is probably somewhere inbetween.
    Table 3. Numbers of records of Bankeraceae compared with genera Hydnum and Auriscalpium (the occurrence of these genera is not elaborated elsewhere in the presented study) in Poland during the second half of the 20th century.
    Period 1951–1960 1961–1970 1971–1980 1981–1990 1991–2000
    Bankeraceae 19 62 37 17 11
    Hydnum 15 32 32 7 13
    Auriscalpium 14 34 46 17 24
    In comparison with the common saprotrophic Auriscalpium vulgare (which can be regarded a species with rather constant occurrence), all species show a lower number of records since 1980, but species of the common mycorrhizal genus Hydnum show an almost similarly rapid decrease as Bankeraceae (although the decrease of Bankeraceae is more gradual and we can expect that not all finds of Hydnum have been documented). Another possible factor which might have influence on the number of finds is the way of investigating – according to herbarium and literature sources, a long-term systematic investigation of some localities has taken place (which can lead to very interesting results, e.g. many finds of rare species in „Las Łagiewnicki“ forest), whereas the total number of investigated localities (per area unit) is probably lower than in Czechia or eastern Germany and therefore also the chance to find rare species is lower.

    In general, the occurrence and distribution of 36 species of the families Bankeraceae and Hydnaceae in Central Europe is presented. Based on the total sums in Table 2 (see above), a simple conclusion might be that the occurrence of the whole group in the entire area is almost constant (with an inconspicuous peak in the period 1961–75). The result is that local fluctuations are overall almost completely equalised.
    In my opinion, such simple conclusion would not be correct. Mycological activity appeared to be higher in the second half of the 20th century (which can be supported with the discovery of several new species in the Central European area during this period). In the sums, the decline of some hydnaceous fungi in the lowlands during the last decades is compensated by increasing mycological activity in mountainous regions (where the occurrence of most of the species appears to be almost constant). Changes in mycological activity in particular regions must be respected (see the above mentioned „booms“ in the investigation of hydnaceous fungi in Czechia and Germany) and therefore partial conclusions (according to the situation in particular countries) have a higher value than a too general summarizing conclusion.
    Some species, especially those associated with certain habitats, show a different pattern. In various forest types, altitudes, etc. (typical of each species) changes in occurrence are well visible and it is possible to compare the changes of various species occurring in the same or similar habitats. As is visible from
    Table 4, really endangered species are Hydnellum suaveolens and Hydnellum caeruleum, which show a strong decline in almost the whole of Central Europe, especially in the lowlands, but also in mountainous regions. Other species which show a great decline are Hydnellum geogenium and Sarcodon versipellis, recently absent in non-mountainous regions but very rare also in the mountains – it seems that strictly mountainous species are strongly limited by their altitudinal optimum. Also some other Sarcodon species have become very rare – S. leucopus, S. fennicus and especially S. fuligineoviolaceus, which was recently recorded in Central Europe for the first time since the end of the 1970s.


    Endangered species and national Red Data Lists

    Finally,
    Table 4 shows a total summary of the records of the studied species during history and changes in their occurrence (mostly a decrease in the cases of some prominent changes) in the study area, but the situation of some endangered species should be commented also according to their occurrence in lowland or mountainous part of the whole area. (Extremely rare species with up to 10 localities are not commented in following two paragraphs.)
    Southern part of Central Europe (Czech Rep., Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, southern Germany) – mostly hilly or mountainous area: Among the species of deciduous forests, Hydnellum spongiosipes and Phellodon confluens have become very rare (with the exception of three new localities of P. confluens and one of H. spongiosipes in Czechia during the last decade). The occurrence of Bankera fuligineoalba has rapidly decreased since 1980s. Several more species of coniferous forests show decline – besides the above-mentioned Hydnellum suaveolens and H. caeruleum also H. floriforme and Sarcodon leucopus have become rare outside mountain areas. The mountain species Sarcodon versipellis and Hydnellum geogenium are still rare in general, but their occurrence is rather constant.
    Northern part of Central Europe (northern Germany, Poland) – mostly lowland area: Besides current finds of Sarcodon joeides and S. lepidus, which might be ascribed to intensive investigation in Germany since the 1980s, Phellodon confluens does not seem to be so endangered as in the southern regions. A similar case is Bankera fuligineoalba. In general, the species are not so rare and the possible decrease in occurrence is not so striking in large areas with their natural habitats (deciduous or pine forests, as mentioned above). Another situation is represented by mountainous species (or species currently occurring mostly in mountain areas), which are really endangered or almost extinct from most of the area – Hydnellum geogenium, H. caeruleum and H. suaveolens.

    Table 5 shows a survey of the Central European species and their position in national Red Data Lists of the particular countries (Holec et Beran 2006, Lizoň 2001, Wojewoda and Ławrynowicz 1992, Benkert et al. 1992, Krisai-Greilhuber 1999, Siller and Vasas 1995).
    Country Czech Rep. Slovakia Poland Germany Austria Hungary
    Bankera fuligineoalba CR E (EN) 1 (CR)
    Bankera violascens EN 1 (CR)
    Phellodon niger NT+LC V (VU) 2 (EN)
    Phellodon confluens EN LR: LC 2 (EN)
    Phellodon connatus NT+LC 2 (EN)
    Phellodon tomentosus NT+LC V (VU) 2 (EN)
    Hydnellum suaveolens CR V (VU) 2 (EN)
    Hydnellum caeruleum EN E (EN) 2 (EN) 3 (VU)
    Hydnellum ferrugipes
    Hydnellum floriforme EN V (VU) * 1 (CR) 3 (VU) *
    Hydnellum aurantiacum CR * 2 (EN) *
    Hydnellum peckii EN EN 2 (EN) 3 (VU)
    Hydnellum mirabile ?EX
    Hydnellum compactum 2 (EN)
    Hydnellum spongiosipes CR 3 (VU)
    Hydnellum ferrugineum NT+LC E (EN) 2 (EN)
    Hydnellum tardum CR
    Hydnellum scrobiculatum VU Ex (EX) 3 (VU)
    Hydnellum concrescens NT+LC EN E (EN) 3 (VU) 3 (VU)
    Hydnellum cumulatum ?EX
    Hydnellum geogenium CR EN E (EN) 1 (CR)
    Sarcodon imbricatus NT+LC V (VU) 3 (VU) 3 (VU) EN
    Sarcodon squamosus ** VU
    Sarcodon leucopus CR 1 (CR)
    Sarcodon versipellis ?EX 2 (EN) 3 (VU)
    Sarcodon scabrosus EN 2 (EN) 0 (EX) EN
    Sarcodon glaucopus EN DD Ex (EX) 1 (CR) 3 (VU)
    Sarcodon fennicus CR
    Sarcodon regalis
    Sarcodon lepidus R (NT)
    Sarcodon lundellii
    Sarcodon martioflavus 1 (CR)
    Sarcodon joeides 2 (EN) 4 (NT)
    Sarcodon fuligineoviolaceus LR: LC 1 (CR) EN
    Boletopsis leucomelaena CR DD E (EN) 2 (EN) 3 (VU)
    Boletopsis grisea *** VU VU
    Abbreviations of the IUCN categories: EX: extinct, CR: critically endangered, EN: endangered, VU: vulnerable, NT: near threatened, LC: least concern, DD: data deficient, NE: not evaluated.
    Other categories in particular countries:
    – Czech Rep.: ?EX =  probably extinct (extinction is not 100% certain in macromycetes)
    – Slovakia: LR = low risk (NT and LC fused in one category)
    – Poland: Ex, E and V are compatible with EX, EN and VU
    – Germany: 1 = critically endangered, 2 = strongly endangered, 3 = endangered, R = rare (possibly compatible with CR, EN, VU and NT)
    – Austria: 0 = extinct or missing, 1 = endangered by extinction, 2 = strongly endangered, 3 = endangered, R = potentially endangered, very rare (possibly compatible with EX, CR, EN, VU and NT)
    – Hungary: EN = species endangered by extinction, vulnerable and rare species (fused category)
    Notes:
    * Hydnellum aurantiacum cited in the list, it probably means H. floriforme or confused species.
    ** Sarcodon squamosus was not distinguished until 1999 – in all lists except the Czech one it has been confused with S. imbricatus.
    *** Boletopsis grisea (as B. subsquamosa in the Slovak list) has not been usually distinguished from B. leucomelaena especially in Austria and Germany.

    As visible, Czech and German lists are the most complete ones and the classification of particular species generally corresponds with my investigation. In the German list, category „R“ for Sarcodon lepidus may be explained by some expected data deficiency; the list should be completed with two species recorded already by Maas Geesteranus (1975): Hydnellum tardum and Sarcodon regalis.
    The Polish list should be completed with the very rare Bankera violascens, Boletopsis grisea, Hydnellum compactum, H. peckii, Phellodon confluens, P. connatus and newly discovered Sarcodon lepidus.
    Austria has a similar number of listed species, but there the occurrence of many species is really higher (this is possibly the reason why they are not included in the Red Data List; also most of the species in Austria are listed in the low category „3“). The Austrian list should be completed with the extremely rare Hydnellum mirabile, H. spongiosipes, H. compactum, Phellodon confluens, Sarcodon fennicus, S. leucopus, S. versipellis and the newly discovered Sarcodon lundellii and Hydnellum tardum, whereas Sarcodon scabrosus is certainly not extinct from Austria (current finds after 2000).
    The Slovak and Hungarian lists are rather incomplete as for Bankeraceae and many lacking species can be considered to be threatened (at various levels) in these countries. Except this, category „LR“ in Slovakia appears to be underestimated for the very rare Phellodon confluens and especially for Sarcodon fuligineoviolaceus, recorded in Slovakia after 135 years (the occurrence of this species in Hungary has not been confirmed in this study).


    Possible causes of the occurrence changes

    Hydnaceous fungi have never belonged – may be with an exception of some species (Sarcodon imbricatus, Phellodon tomentosus) – to abundant fungi in our forests. However, the whole group show an expressive occurrence decline during the last decades. It has been recorded both, more or less fundamental decline of the absolute finds count of these fungi, or their gradual disappearing from the whole areas where they formerly were found.
    According to Arnolds (1991), the decline degree of ectomycorrhiza forming fungi (including hydnaceous fungi) is connected with their symbiotic specificity - it means with the spectrum breadth of the trees forming mycorrhiza with the particular fungi. The lowest decline can be recorded at indifferent species, higher at the species of deciduous forests and the highest at the species of coniferous forests. This sequence elaborated for the Netherlands with rather different forest spectrum (dominating oak and sandy pine forests) was not confirmed in the Czech Republic.
    In the table 6, the finds counts of the individual species in the Czech Republic during the 1970‘s and 1980‘s are compared to previous 20 years (based on author‘s revision of material deposited in herbaria and his study of the literature sources, see Hrouda 1999). The period before the World War II cannot be rated because of the lack of the number of records. The term of 1960‘s and 1970‘s signify the beginning of more or less considerable occurrence decline in most of the species.

    Table 6. Comparison of the finds counts of the monitored species in the Czech Republic between 1951-70 and 1971-90. The species are ranged according to increasing decline of their occurrence. (There are recorded only the species found at least five times during mentioned 40 years.)
    Species     1951–70   1971–90     Perc. (%)   Differ. (%) Forest type Dominating tree
    Hydnellum spongiosipes 6 0 0.00 100.00 deciduous Quercus
    Sarcodon leucopus 5 0 0.00 100.00 coniferous Picea
    Sarcodon glaucopus 5 0 0.00 100.00 coniferous Picea
    Bankera fuligineoalba 13   1 7.69 92.31 coniferous Pinus
    Hydnellum caeruleum 46   4 8.70 91.30 coniferous Picea (Pinus)
    Hydnellum concrescens 41   5 12.20 87.80 indifferent species     (Picea, Quercus)
    Hydnelum suaveolens 14   2 14.29 85.71 coniferous Picea
    Phellodon connatus 45   7 15.56 84.44 indifferent species Picea (Pinus)
    Phellodon confluens 10   2 20.00 80.00 deciduous (Quercus)
    Hydnellum floriforme 10   2 20.00 80.00 coniferous Picea (Pinus)
    Hydnellum scrobiculatum 14   5 35.71 64.29 indifferent species Picea (Quercus)
    Sarcodon imbricatus 19   7 36.84 63.16 coniferous Picea
    Phellodon niger 46 18 39.13 60.87 coniferous Picea (Pinus)
    Sarcodon scabrosus 24 10 41.67 58.33 coniferous Pinus
    Hydnellum ferrugineum 37 16 43.24 56.76 coniferous Pinus (Picea)
    Phellodon tomentosus 35 16 45.71 54.29 coniferous Pinus (Picea)
    Hydnellum peckii 14   9 64.29 35.71 coniferous Pinus (Picea)
    Bankera violascens   8   7 87.50 12.50 coniferous Picea
    Perc. (%) – percentage of the finds counts between 1971–1990 compared to 1951–1970.
    Differ. (%) – percentage difference of the finds counts between 1971–1990 compared to 1951–1970.
    Forest type – type, in which the species occurs in the Czech Republic (indifferent = species found in both deciduous and coniferous forests, at least 5 % of finds in each type).
    Dominating (accompanying) tree – without parentheses: trees accompanying more then 50 % of finds of given species; in parentheses: trees often recorded at finds of given species, but in less then 50 % cases.

    The table mentioned above does not show clear difference in occurrence decline of species in deciduous and coniferous forests – the main reason is that the finds in deciduous forests were rare in the past. Moreover, some species commonly in the literature presented as indifferent and for example in the Netherlands presented as species of the deciduous forests (Sarcodon scabrosus, Phellodon niger) are almost always connected with conifers in the Czech Republic.
    The relatively highest decline can be recorded at some the rare species, whilest the higher percentage of more common species is found more often recently, too. Probably, it is a matter of the breadth of the common species ecological amplitude, their relation to more symbiotic plants and the ability to adapt to changing environmental and habitat conditions. As for relation of symbiotic specificity and disappearing of individual species, the occurrence of hydnaceous fungi is reduced by strict specialization to some trees as well as by the changes of the environmental conditions. Arnolds (1991) presents the highest occurrence decline in fungi species or genera specialized to only one tree species or genus. It is comprehensible – fungi forming ectomycorrhiza with more tree species are not so much involved in possible change of vegetation structure. In addition, broader spectrum of symbiotic plants can express the bigger breadth of the ecological amplitude and better adaptability to changing environmental conditions. Also some of the Czech species seem to show a tendency to specialization to some trees – broader spectrum of accompanying trees which can be recorded at older finds is narrowing (the question is, whether it is caused by the changes of the tree species spectrum on the localities or by the changes of the habitat conditions reducing the fungi occurrence).
    Ectomycorrhiza forming fungi commonly occur on the soils with a thin litter layer; this applies to hydnaceous fungi almost always (in the Czech habitats studied in 1991, the thickness of litter and humus layer ranged from 1 to 7 cm – see Hrouda 1999a). Besides this, hydnaceous fungi are also characteristic by usual occurring in mature forests, but not in young stands (Arnolds 1991). If we connect this fact with the results of the observations in north-western Bohemia, where ectomycorrhiza forming fungi almost disappeared from the mature stands (Fellner 1989), but they still occur in the young stands (15-20 years old) on the mineral soils (Skála 1987), the disappearing of hydnaceous fungi in the areas afflicted by the pollution is easily explainable.
    As said before, ektomycorrhiza forming fungi mostly occur on oligotrophic soils with a thin surface humus layer. Nevertheless, accumulation of the litter and the connected soil acidification should not lead to disappearing of hydnaceous fungi, because they are natural and progressive processes connected with maturing of the forest stands. A rich occurence of ectomycorrhiza forming fungi in the forests with well developed litter layer was even reported (Arnolds 1991). However, if the stand is afflicted by some pollution, it can accelerate the mentioned processes (acidification) and reach the concentrations of some substances in the soil, which become critical for the fungi. As the hydnaceous fungi grow on very acid soils (Hrouda 1999a), it is probable that further acidification can have unfavourable influence to the soil conditions and the fungi growth. Arnolds (1989), Benkert (1982) and Kreisel (1980) conformly hold the increasing occurrence of some nutrients (especially nitrogen) in the soil as the main cause of the ectomycorrhiza forming fungi decrease. It can lead to general change of the soil chemism and give the chance of the competitive growth to another fungi, or cause the general changes of the vegetation structure, resulting in the influence to the fungi growth.


    Summarized situation in Czechia and habitat management

    Members of the Bankeraceae belong to the ectomycorrhizal fungi - specifically, in Bankera fuligineoalba the mycorrhizal relation was verified already in the 1980s (Danielson 1984), and during the 1990s it was also confirmed in representatives of other genera. Most of the monitored species have a certain degree of host specificity – Bankera fuligineoalba is bound to pine, Boletopsis grisea also prefers this tree (though not exclusively), Phellodon confluens grows with Fagaceae (usually with oaks and chestnut trees, its occurrence in beech forests is quite exceptional), Hydnellum suaveolens grows only in coniferous forests (today in fact exclusively in spruce stands), Hydnellum caeruleum and Hydnellum floriforme also accompany the conifers in our countries, although in other parts of their range they are also known from deciduous forests.
    A significant decrease in occurrence of the monitored species (unfortunately, not only them) was recorded during the second half of the 20th century. This is linked to changing environmental conditions, which weaken the ability of mycorrhizal fungi to grow and form fruitbodies in particular. It is very likely that the disappearance of these fungi during the 1970s and 1980s is related to the pollution of that time, leading to the so-called "acid rains" - their influence on the soil chemistry can then be manifested in two steps: directly by decreasing the soil pH, and subsequently by the weakening of trees, which in the case of conifers leads to the premature fall of needles and further acidification of the soil during the decomposition of an increased amount of coniferous litter.
    The situation at the turn of the 1980s/1990s was the most critical. Some rare species, previously known from the Czechoslovak territory, have not been found in our countries in the mentioned decades, and a number of formerly quite common species have shown a drastic decrease in the number of localities associated with the disappearance from entire regions. However, as current findings show, the 1990s and the beginning of the new century seemed to bring a certain "revival" in the occurrence of these fungi, manifested in stable occurrence in permanently inhabited locations and the discovery of some new locations in places where a particular species was previously unknown. In most cases, however, there is no reappearance in regions from which the species disappeared in previous decades; it is most striking in the case of the formerly abundant species of the genus HydnellumH. suaveolens is today known from one locality near Tábor and one near Brno, another two species have their refugia in the Bohemian Forest (Šumava), Slepičí hory and Novohradské hory Mts.
    Due to the significant decrease in the number of localities of previously abundant species, there is very little probability of successful verifying of the species occurrence in the localities where it was last collected several decades ago. It is obvious that fungal fructification depends on the environmental conditions, and the absence of fruitbodies (as the only visible manifestation of the species occurrence in a locality) for many years may not mean its death, however, in the order of a few decades one can already talk about extinction quite reliably, especially in the case of the disappearance of a species from entire regions. In the case of quite recent localities, failure to record an occurrence at a site only means that fruitbodies were not found in a given year, however, the potential occurrence of the species at the site is still possible and, especially in the case of newer localities, quite likely.

    Regarding the habitat management, these species do not require any special conditions, they are also found in typical man-made forests. Generally, it is possible to mention several points that should be fulfilled when managing their habitats.
    The basic condition mainly for the fruitbody formation, but in the case of limited supply also for the growth of mycelium, is sufficient water in the environment, i.e. in the soil for these species. First of all, it is therefore necessary to prevent activities which could lead to drainage of the habitat (insensitive melioration, etc.). If mycorrhizal fungi disappear, this usually leads (along with water stress) to the weakening of "abandoned" trees and their easier attack by parasitic wood-decaying fungi.
    The studied species grow mainly on acidic soils (Pegler et al. 1997); in the Czech Republic, they were collected at sites with a pH of 3–4 (Hrouda 1999). A change in the soil chemistry can significantly negatively affect their occurrence, both in the case of further acidification (the above-mentioned effect of acid precipitation, which is difficult to defend against at the local level), as well as in the case of a shift in pH to higher values. On the contrary, this can easily happen in a specific micro-location, e.g. in the case of littering a forest road with crushed limestone and the subsequent "washing out" of CaCO3 into the surrounding soil. Another basic point of habitat management should be the prevention of the supply of rocks other than those which form the natural bedrock at the given locality.
    According to Arnolds (1991), hydnaceous fungi do not occur in young stands, but in mature, undisturbed forests. Although, especially in the case of recent finds from the Slepičí hory and Novohradské hory Mts., the fruitbodies have been found in young stands (Dluhoště, Daleké Popelice, Hodonický potok near Malonty, Lužnický vrch) and Arnolds' claim is therefore not confirmed in South Bohemia, for mycorrhizal fungi it is appropriate to ensure the possibility of easy transition to neighbouring trees (so that they do not rely on the formation of a "de novo" mycorrhizal connection with young individuals) in the case of cutting the stand (standard management in cultivated forests) - in other words, to enable continuous growth of these fungi, thinning is preferable to clearcuts (in which case, in addition, a larger area would easily dry out during the season).
    Disruption of the soil cover also has a negative effect on the growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi (due to the fact that the mycelia grow most in the litter layer, usually 2–5(–10) cm below the soil surface). Mycelium usually grows over a larger area (on the order of at least a few metres), so local disturbance should not be a problem (whether caused by forest animals, mushroom pickers, forestry equipment or removed timber), but the necessary activity should definitely be carried out as carefully as possible to the soil cover. Leaving a large amount of woody debris (branches and chopped wood after logging), which is a suitable substrate for lignicolous saprotrophic fungi, whose rapid growth in the habitat can potentially limit the occurrence of mycorrhizal species, can also have a negative effect on them.

     


    PUBLICATIONS

    Hrouda P. (2006): Ekologie druhů z čeledi Bankeraceae a management jejich stanovišť. – Ms., not published (in Czech).
    Part of the study focused on recent occurrence verification of the species submitted for protection by law. The study has been elaborated for the Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic.
    Monitored species: Bankera fuligineoalba, Phellodon confluens, Hydnellum suaveolens, Hydnellum caeruleum, Hydnellum floriforme, Boletopsis grisea.

    Hrouda P. (2005a): Bankeraceae in Central Europe. 1. – Czech Mycology 57: 57–78.
    The paper presents a survey of the results of a study of the genera Bankera, Phellodon, Hydnellum, Sarcodon and Boletopsis in selected herbaria of Central Europe (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria and southern Germany in this first part). The general and current occurrence is described for each species and some possible problems are discussed under particular species.
    Key words: Bankeraceae, distribution, Central Europe.

    Hrouda P. (2005b): Bankeraceae in Central Europe. 2. – Czech Mycology 57: 279–297.
    The paper presents a second part of a study of the genera Bankera, Phellodon, Hydnellum, Sarcodon and Boletopsis in selected herbaria of Central Europe (Poland and northern Germany in this part). The occurrence and distribution is described for each species and historical changes of the occurrence of hydnaceous fungi in the Central European area are discussed in the end of the study.
    Key words: Bankeraceae, distribution, Central Europe.

    Dvořák D. et Hrouda P. (2005): Ježaté houby / lošáky a korálovce. – 36 p. + 20 tab., Masarykova univerzita, Brno (in Czech).
    The paper presents a summary of current knowledge about the studied groups of fungi. Basic information about 33 species occurring in the Czech Republic is completed with notes about 13 species, which are known in the surrounding countries and the possibility of their find in the Czech area cannot be excluded. Descriptions of particular species are completed with survey of similar species and their distinguishing characters, which should help in certain determination. Further paragraphs describe the historical changes of occurrence, phenology (not presented at hydnaceous fungi; almost all of them occur in the late summer and autumn), ecology (accompanying trees at the mycorrhizal hydnums, wood substrate at lignicolous hericia) and distribution in the Czech Republic (species of family Bankeraceae are completed with the note about Slovakia; material from Slovakia has not been elaborated at the other groups). Identification keys to the particular families and genera are completed with the total key for the whole heterogeneous group of terrestrial stipitate hydnums.
    Illustrations: P. Rychlá, P. Hrouda; photos: D. Dvořák, P. Lazárek, V. Janda.
     
    Hrouda P. (1999a): Hydnaceous fungi of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. – Czech Mycology 51 (2-3): 99–155.
    The paper presents a survey of the results of a study of four hydnaceous genera - Bankera, Phellodon, Hydnellum and Sarcodon - in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It is based on material deposited in Czech and Slovak herbaria as well as on literature records of finds of the included species from the studied territory. For each species a short description is provided, highlighting characters distinguishing it from related species. Short notes about its ecology, occurrence and distribution are added. In the latter the actual state is compared with historic and literature data. The study is supplemented with distribution maps of individual species.
    Key words: Hydnaceous fungi, occurrence, accompanying trees, distribution, Czech Republic, Slovakia.

    Hrouda P. (1999b): Hydnaceous fungi – changes in their occurrence and possible causes. – In: Jankovský L. et al. [eds.]: Houby a les, MZLU Brno, p. 53–56.
    Hydnaceous fungi – the ectomycorrhiza forming fungi, growing on oligotrophic acid soils with a shallow litter layer – showed an expressive occurrence decline during the last few decades. Their occurrence is probably reduced by the changes of the soil chemism, especially by some nutrients accumulation in the soil. These changes are apparently the main cause of the general occurrence decline of hydnaceous fungi, as well as the narrowing of their accompanying trees spectrum, occurring even at the relatively common species.
    Klíčová slova: hydnaceous fungi, occurrence decline, environmental changes.

    Hrouda P. (1996): Notes on two hydnums – Bankera violascens and Sarcodon versipellis. – Czech Mycology 49 (1): 35–39.
    This article deals with two questions concerning to hydnaceous fungi. I do not accept the name Bankera cinerea (Bull.: Fr.) Rauschert for Bankera violascens (Alb. et Schw.: Fr.) Pouzar. The reason is thet Bulliard’s illustration of Hydnum cinereum, on which Rauschert based his combination, in my opinion does not show a species of the genus Bankera. The characters, on which this statement is based, are given.
    The specimens of Sarcodon balsamiodorus Pouzar in schaedis from herbaria (PRM, BRA) belong, also according to the description of fresh material, to Sarcodon versipellis (Fr.) Quél.
    Key words: Combination, Bankera cinerea, Bulliard’s illustration, exsiccates, Sarcodon balsamiodorus.


    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

    I wish to thank the curators and employees of all visited herbaria for their service and help (and enabling me to work at night in some cases), and Czech colleagues for sending material or providing information about the current occurrence of hydnaceous fungi. Last, but not least my thanks go out to Mgr. Zdeněk Pouzar, CSc. who advised me in case of arising problems, to dr. Peter Otto (Leipzig) for his consultancy and providing the data from former East Germany, and to Daniel Dvořák for providing the Red Data Lists and excerpted data from the Central European countries.
    The work was supported by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic (project no. 206/02/D052). (2005a, 2005b)

    Thanks to all people, who contributed to this study, its text, pictures and graphics, as well as to all mycological friends, who unselfishly provide their collections, published and unpublished information and personal observations.
    Tha publication was issued with the financial support of the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, project no. 206/02/D052. (Dvořák et Hrouda 2005)

    I wish to thank prom. biol. Z. Pouzar, CSc. for his consultancy, the revision of critical specimens and lending a lot of literature, the late doc. RNDr. V. Skalický, CSc. for consultancy especially on the concept of this paper and chorological problems, MUDr. J. Herink for lending specimens from his private herbarium and providing records about his collections and literature, RNDr. F. Kotlaba, CSc. for help with the identification of localities, lending literature and providing information about the recent occurrence of some species. I also thank PhDr. R. Fellner, CSc. for lending literature, Dr. M. Beran, E. Lippert, Ing. V. Pravda, P. Vampola and Ing. J. Valter for information about the recent occurrence of species or sending collections, I. Ostrý for making soil analyses and employees of the above mentioned herbaria for lending material for revision. (1999a)

    I thank to I. Gottvaldová and Mgr. J. Holec for the preparation of photographies, and to Z. Pouzar, CSc. for the lending of original description and literature. (1996)


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