Management Recommendations--Group 2

Rare FalseTruffles: Alpova alexsmithii Trappe 
Undescribed Taxa: Alpova aurantiacus Trappe & Evans (= Alpova sp. nov. #Trappe 1966), 
Rare FalseTruffles: Alpova olivaceotinctus (Smith) Trappe 
Undescribed Taxa: Chamonixia caespitosa Rolland (= Chamonixia sp. nov. #Trappe 12768) 
Rare Boletes: Gastroboletus imbellus Trappe, Gastroboletus ruber (Zeller) Cázares & Trappe 
Boletes: Gastroboletus subalpinus Trappe & Thiers 
Undescribed Taxa: Gastroboletus vividus Trappe & Castellano (= Gastroboletus sp. nov. #Trappe 2897 and Gastroboletus sp. nov. #Trappe 7515), Gastrosuillus amaranthii Thiers (= Gastrosuillus sp. nov. #Trappe 9608), Gastrosuillus umbrinus Trappe & Castellano (= Gastrosuillus sp. nov. #Trappe 7516) 
Rare FalseTruffles: Rhizopogon brunneiniger Smith
Undescribed Taxa: Rhizopogon chamaleontinus Smith (= Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 9432), Rhizopogon ellipsosporus Trappe & Castellano (= Alpova sp. nov. #Trappe 9730)
Rare False Truffles: Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus Smith, Rhizopogon exiguus Zeller Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus Smith, Rhizopogon inquinatus Smith
Undescribed Taxa: Rhizopogon parksii Smith (= Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1692 and Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1698)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Species: Alpova alexsmithii Trappe, Alpova aurantiacus Trappe & Evans (= Alpova sp. nov. #Trappe 1966), Alpova olivaceotinctus (Smith) Trappe, Chamonixia caespitosa Rolland (= Chamonixia sp. nov. #Trappe 12768), Gastroboletus imbellus Trappe, Gastroboletus ruber (Zeller) Cázares & Trappe, Gastroboletus subalpinus Trappe & Thiers, Gastroboletus vividus Trappe & Castellano (= Gastroboletus sp. nov. #Trappe 2897, Gastroboletus sp. nov. #Trappe 7515), Gastrosuillus amaranthii Thiers (= Gastrosuillus sp. nov. #Trappe 9608), Gastrosuillus umbrinus Trappe & Castellano (= Gastrosuillus sp. nov. #Trappe 7516), Rhizopogon brunneiniger Smith, Rhizopogon chamaleontinus Smith (= Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 9432), Rhizopogon ellipsosporus Trappe & Castellano (= Alpova sp. nov. #Trappe 9730), Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus Smith, Rhizopogon exiguus Zeller, Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus Smith, Rhizopogon inquinatus Smith, Rhizopogon parksii Smith (= Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1692 and Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1698)

Taxonomic Group: Fungi

ROD Component(s): 1 & 3

Other Management Status: Gastroboletus ruber and Gastroboletus subalpinus are listed as sensitive taxa in a preliminary report on endangered, threatened and sensitive macrofungi of Washington State by Ammirati (1994).

Potential Changes from Table C-3: Gastrosuillus amaranthii Thiers (= Gastrosuillus sp. nov. #Trappe 9608) is a candidate for removal from the list of taxa of special concern because it is not known from the assessment area. The only site of Gastrosuillus amaranthii is on the Lassen National Forest, California located outside the assessment area. Rhizopogon parksii Smith (= Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1692 and Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1698) is a candidate for removal from the list of taxa of special concern because of its widespread common occurrence throughout west-side forests.

Range: Alpova alexsmithii is known from 5 sites which occur along the western slope of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon and Washington in montane and subalpine forests, particularly those with Tsuga mertensiana. A sixth site is known from southern British Columbia. Alpova aurantiacus is known from 2 sites, both located in the central Cascades of Oregon. Alpova olivaceotinctus is known from 2 sites on private land in northern California and 2 other sites outside the assessment area, one in northeast California and the other in southern California. Chamonixia caespitosa is known from along the coast of Oregon and Washington and the Cascade Mountains of Washington. In addition Chamonixia caespitosa is known New York, France, and Germany. Gastroboletus ruber is known from 11 sites along the western slope of the Cascade Mountains from the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness in Oregon north to Glacier Peak Wilderness in Washington. Gastroboletus subalpinus is known 12 sites from Mt. Hood, Oregon south to Mt. Shasta, California. Both sites of Gastroboletus vividus are known from southern Oregon. Gastrosuillus umbrinus is known from only one site located on the Klamath National Forest, California. Rhizopogon brunneiniger is known from 6 sites from Mt. Hood in Oregon south to near Inverness, Marin Co., California. Rhizopogon chamaleontinus is known from only two sites, the original type from Idaho and a single site on the Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon. Rhizopogon ellipsosporus is known from only 1 site on the Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon. Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus is known from 16 sites from the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington south to the Klamath National Forest in northern California. It is also known from Idaho. Rhizopogon exiguus is knownfrom only 5 sites from the Siskiyou National Forest in southern Oregon north to Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington. Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus is known from 5 sites from Siskiyou National Forest in northern California north to Deschutes National Forest in central Oregon. It is also known from 3 other sites outside the assessment area in Idaho, Montana, and the Channel Islands, California. Rhizopogon inquinatus is known from 2 sites, both on the Williamette National Forest in central Oregon. It is also known from one site in Idaho.

Specific Habitat: All these taxa form sequestrate sporocarps in soil that develop and mature beneath the surface of the ground. Alpova alexsmithii is found in association with the roots of assorted Pinaceae, particularly Tsuga mertensiana or T. heterophylla at high elevation. Alpova aurantiacus has been found in association with the roots of Abies lasiocarpa and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Alpova olivaceotinctus is usually found in association with the roots of Abies spp. Chamonixia caespitosa is found in association with the roots of Tsuga sp. and Abies amabilis at high elevation and Tsuga heterophylla, Pseudotsuga menziesii and Picea sitchensis in coastal forests. Gastroboletus imbellus is found in association with the roots of Tsuga mertensiana, Abies lasiocarpa, A. grandis, with an understory of Vaccinium sp., Fragarea sp., Sorbus sitkensis, Pachysyima myrsenites, and Antennaria lamata. Gastroboletus ruber occurs above 4,000 ft. and is found in association with the roots of assorted Pinaceae, particularly Tsuga mertensiana, Abies amabilis, Abies procera, or Pinus monticola. Gastroboletus subalpinus occurs above 4,700 ft. and is found in association with the roots of assorted Pinaceae, particularly Tsuga mertensiana, Abies magnifica, Pinus contorta, or Pinus albicaulis. Gastroboletus vividus is found in association with the roots of Abies magnifica and Tsuga mertensiana above 5,000 ft.. Gastrosuillus amaranthii is found in association with the roots of Pinus lambertiana above 5,000 ft. Gastrosuillus umbrinus is found in association with the roots of Pinus monticola above 7,000 ft. Rhizopogon brunneiniger is found in association with the roots of assorted Pinaceae including Tsuga mertensiana, T. heterophylla, Pinus monticola, P. contorta, P. muricata, Abies concolor, and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Rhizopogon chamaleontinus is found in association with the roots of Pseudotsuga menziesii and scattered Pinus lambertiana at mid elevation (3,300 ft.). Rhizopogon ellipsosporus is found with Pseudotsuga menziesii and scattered Pinus lambertiana at mid elevation (2,500 ft.). Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus is usually found in association with the roots of Tsuga mertensiana or Abies spp. at mid to high elevation. Rhizopogon exiguus is found in association with the roots of Tsuga heterophylla and Pseudotsuga menziesii at mid elevation. Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus is found in association with the roots of various Pinaceae, including Pinus contorta, P. lambertiana, P. attentuata, P. muricata, Abies concolor, A. lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii or Pseudotsuga menziesii at mid to high elevation. Rhizopogon inquinatus is found in association with the roots of Tsuga heterophylla and Pseudotsuga menziesii at mid elevation. Rhizopogon parksii is found in association with the roots of only Pseudotsuga menziesii from sea level to high elevation.

Threats: Logging of is the most serious threat to Alpova alexsmithii, A. olivaceotinctus, Chamonixia caespitosa, Gastroboletus imbellus, Gastroboletus ruber, Gastroboletus subalpinus, Gastroboletus vividus, Gastrosuillus amaranthii, Gastrosuillus umbrinus, Rhizopogon brunneiniger, Rhizopogon chamaleontinus, Rhizopogon ellipsosporus, Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus, Rhizopogon exiguus, Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus, and Rhizopogon inquinatus. In addition, actions that disturb soil or remove overstory hosts could eliminate populations of all the above taxa.

Management Recommendations: Maintain habitat for Alpova alexsmithii, A. olivaceotinctus, Chamonixia caespitosa, Gastroboletus imbellus, Gastroboletus ruber, Gastroboletus subalpinus,Gastroboletus vividus, Gastrosuillus amaranthii, Gastrosuillus umbrinus, Rhizopogon brunneiniger, Rhizopogon chamaleontinus, Rhizopogon ellipsosporus, Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus, Rhizopogon exiguus, Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus, and Rhizopogon inquinatus at known Federal sites by retaining forest structure and soil conditions. Avoid disturbance at known Federal sites, including modification of canopy until additional data is collected on taxon viability. There are no known sites of Alpova olivaceotinctus on Federal land so a goal for management of this taxon would be to identify likely habitat on Federal land that may support populations and protect it until sufficient surveys occur to reveal populations. There are no known sites of Gastrosuillus amaranthii on Federal land within the assessment area so a goal for management of this taxon could be to identify likely habitat within the assessment area that may support populations and protect it until sufficient surveys occur to reveal populations. Remove Rhizopogon parksii from the list of taxa of special concern because of its widespread common occurrence.

Information Needs: Revisit known sites of all taxa except Rhizopogon parksii and collect ecological data to more completely characterize habitat. Conduct inventories, particularly in late-successional reserves, Research Natural Areas and when appropriate where management treatments or projects are scheduled or proposed. No additional information is needed for Rhizopogon parksii.

I. NATURAL HISTORY

A. Taxonomic/Nomenclatural History

Alpova alexsmithii was originally described by Trappe (1975) from Mt. Rainier National Park and Williamette National Forest. There are no known synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Alpova aurantiacus is currently in the process of being published. It is listed in the FEMAT report, ROD and the known site database as Alpova sp. nov. #Trappe 1966. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Alpova olivaceotinctus (Smith) Trappe was originally described as Rhizopogon olivaceotintus by Smith (1966) from an unknown specific location in Northern California. Trappe (1975) transferred the taxon from the genus Rhizopogon to Alpova where it is more appropriately placed. There are no known synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Chamonixia caespitosa was originally described by Rolland (1899) from near Chamonix, France. This taxon is listed in the FEMAT report, ROD and the known site database as Chamonixia sp. nov. #Trappe 12768. Unbeknownst to the scientist panel used to prepare the FEMAT this taxon had already been published. There are no known synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Gastroboletus imbellus was originally described by Trappe (1969) from the Olallie Ridge trail, Williamette National Forest. There are no known synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Gastroboletus ruber was originally described as Truncocolumella rubra by Zeller (1939) from Snoqualmie Pass, King Co., Washington. Cázares and Trappe (1991) transferred the taxon from the genus Truncocolumella to Gastroboletus where it is more appropriately placed. There are no known synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Gastroboletus subalpinus was originally described by Trappe & Theirs (1969) from Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon and the Sierra National Forest, Tahoe National Forest, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Yosemite National Park in California. There are no known synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Gastroboletus vividus is currently in the process of being published. This new taxon is a combination of two separately listed taxa in the FEMAT report and ROD documentation. It is listed separately in the FEMAT report, ROD and the known site database as Gastroboletus sp. nov. #Trappe 2897 and as Gastroboletus sp. nov. #Trappe 7515. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Gastrosuillus amaranthii was originally described by Thiers (1989) from Lassen National Forest. This taxon is listed in the FEMAT report, ROD and the known site database as Gastrosuillus sp. nov. #Trappe 9608. Unbeknownst to the scientist panel used to prepare the FEMAT report this taxon had already been published. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Gastrosuillus umbrinus is currently in the process of being published. It is listed in the FEMAT report, ROD and the known site database as Gastrosuillus sp. nov. #Trappe 7516. There are no known synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Rhizopogon brunneiniger was originally described by Smith in Smith and Zeller (1966) from Mt. Hood National Forest. This taxon is listed as Rhizopogon brunneicolor in FEMAT. There are no known synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Rhizopogon chamaleontinus was originally described by Smith (1968) from Priest Lake, Idaho. This taxon is listed in the FEMAT report, ROD and the known site database as Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 9432. Unbeknownst to the scientist panel used to prepare the FEMAT this taxon had already been published. There are no known synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Rhizopogon ellipsosporus is currently in the process of being published. It is listed in the FEMAT report, ROD and the known site database as Alpova sp. nov. #Trappe 9730. There are no known synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus was originally described by Smith in Smith and Zeller (1966) from Hells Gate National Recreation Area, Idaho. There are no known synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Rhizopogon exiguus was originally described by Zeller (1939) from Pierce Co., Washington. There are no known synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus was originally described by Smith (1966) from Smith’s Ferry, Idaho. There are no known synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Rhizopogon inquinatus was originally described by Smith (1966) from Priest River Experimental Forest, Idaho. There are no known synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

Rhizopogon parksii was originally described by Smith (1966) from California. It is listed in the FEMAT report, ROD and the known site database as Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1692 andRhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1698. There are many synonyms. It is a member of the family Boletaceae in the order Boletales.

B. Species Description

These fungal taxa are grouped together because they all belong to the family Boletaceae and form similarly structured sporocarps.

1. Morphology

Alpova alexsmithii is characterized by the following combination of characters: sticky gelatinous gleba with gel-filled locules, yellowish brown peridium that have pigments that dissolve in KOH, and thin-walled, short hyaline spores. Microscopic examination is necessary for definitive placement but the macroscopic characters, particularly when cut in half, alert the collector to study it further.

Basidiomata 4-40 mm broad, smaller specimens subglobose, the larger flattened to elongate or irregular with lobes and furrows. Peridium 0.2-0.5 mm thick, yellowish brown to dark brown, sometimes staining darker where bruised, felty to more or less scabrous and occasionally rimose-rugulose, drying dark olive to nearly black; large , concolorus rhizomorphs appressed on lower side, originating from a basal tuft of hyphae and rhizomorphs. Gleba firm to crisp. sticky gelatinous, in wet weather exuding sticky fluid from the chambers; chambers rounded, gel-filled, 0.3-0.6 mm diam, separately by white veins, the contents in youth pallid, at maturity grayish yellowish pink, when dried light yellowish brown. Odor faint, pleasant. KOH on fresh and dried peridial surface, instantly dark brown, soon black; FeSO4, dark brown and soon black on fresh specimens, quickly olive on dried specimens. Spores 5-7 (-8) x 3-4(-5) µ, ellipsoid or a few subpyriform to obovoid, smooth, thin-walled; in KOH 1-2 guttulate and hyaline singly, grayish yellow in mass; in Melzer’s reagent pale yellow singly, orange-yellow in mass; in cotton blue strongly cyanophilic in youth, acyanophilic at maturity. BASIDIA borne among gelatinizing hyphae filling the chambers, clavate, 21-29 x 4-5 µ, hyaline, thin-walled, readily collapsing and by maturity autolysed. Peridium: epicutis erratic in thickness, of tangled hyphae 2-4 µ diam with light yellowish brown walls, occasional versiform end cells 4-8 µ diam present, no pigment diffusing in KOH mounts; subcutis 174-470 µ thick, near the epicutis often arranged in an erratic, obscurely radiate palisade (observable only in perfect, thin sections) of hyphae 8-20 µ diam with brown walls 2-4 µ thick, this layer underlain by interwoven, hyaline, thinner-walled hyphae 4-10 µ at septa with most cells inflated to 8-30 µ; clamp connections absent or rare. Gleba: tramal mediostratum of interwoven, hyaline, thin-walled hyphae 3-6 µ diam with cells frequently inflated up to 12(-30) µ, near the chambers the hyphae highly gelatinized; chambers lined with a palisade of subclavate to irregularly constricted, hyaline, thin-walled brachybasidiole cells or basidia but most extending as interwoven thin-walled, hyaline hyphae that fill the chambers.

Alpova aurantiacus is characterized by the following combination of characters: sticky gelatinous gleba with gel-filled locules, orange peridium and large, inflated cells in the trama. Microscopic examination is necessary for definitive placement but the macroscopic characters, particularly when cut in half, alert the collector to study it further.

Basidiomata 17-19 x 20-23 mm, subglobose-lobed, pale brownish orange to orange brown, with much adherent soil and debris. Gleba firm, moist, pale pinkish orange to orange brown, the color a combination of orange to orange brown trama and pale yellow to light brownish yellow spore masses filling the rounded locules 0.1-0.4 µm broad; columella lacking, but sterile veins 0.2-1 mm.broad, concolorous with trama, meandering through gleba; glebal sections of mature specimens cut when fresh, then dried, with dark reddish orange, glassy-resinous deposits. Odor strongly oily-fruity. Taste not recorded. Peridium 100-200 µm thick; epicutis ± 25 µm thick, of appressed, hyaline, thin-walled hyphae 1.5-4 µm in diam, the cell contents light olive yellow to orange; subcutis 75-175 µm thick, of interwoven, hyaline, thin-walled hyphae 1.5-5 µm in diam at septa with occasional cells inflated to 5-10 µm, in youth with scattered, extracellular deposits of amorphous orange pigment in KOH, in Melzer’s reagent the pigment dissolving into yellow to orange pigment globules, at maturity with massive extracellular deposits of orange to bright red pigment in KOH, in Melzer’s reagent the pigment dissolving into orange to brown pigment globules. Clamp connections not found. Glebal trama with a narrow, central strand of interwoven, hyaline, thin-walled hyphae 1.5-5 µm in diam, the broad zones between central strand and locule margins of hyaline, thin-walled hyphae with most cells inflated to 6-20 µm in diam to appear nearly pseudoparenchymatous, pigment deposits throughout as in the peridial subcutis; sterile veins structured similarly to tramal central strand. Subhymenium and hymenium lacking. Basidia and clamp connections not found. Spores 10-13 x (3.5-) 4-5 µm, fusoid, smooth, in KOH hyaline singly, in mass grayish yellow, with 2-3 large guttules, the walls = 0.5 µm thick; in Melzer’s reagent light yellow singly, grayish yellow in mass; in cotton blue the walls and guttules pale blue, the cytoplasm dark blue.

Alpova olivaceotinctus is characterized by the following combination of characters: sticky gelatinous gleba with gel-filled locules, yellow brown peridium and intermediate sized spores. Microscopic examination is necessary for definitive placement but the macroscopic characters, particularly when cut in half, alert the collector to study it further.

Basidiomata 15-25 x 20-45 mm, globose to lobed and irregular or elongated. Peridium reviving to 0.2-0.3 mm thick, appressed-fibrillose, yellowish brown, when dried tinged olive over dull brown; rhizomorphs scattered. Gleba exuding a latex when fresh, as dried the chambers filled and separated by pallid veins, the chamber contents yellowish brown. KOH on dried peridial surface instantly reddish brown, soon darkening to black; FeSO4, quickly dark brown. Spores (6-) 8-10 (-12) µm, ellipsoid to oblong, a few subangular to subfusoid or irregular, the walls slightly thickened at maturity, smooth; in KOH greenish hyaline singly, yellowish gray in mass; in Melzer’s reagent light brownish yellow singly, yellowish brown in mass; in cotton blue strongly cyanophilic in youth, acyanophilic at maturity. Basidia borne among tangled, gelatinized hyphae along the chamber walls but not in a palisade and, less abundantly, among gelatinizing and indistinct at early stages of development. Peridium: epicutis + 25 µm thick, of appressed, interwoven hyphae 2-5 µm broad with scattered inflated cells, the walls yellow and thin to somewhat thickened, the contents brownish yellow and diffusing into the fluid of KOH mounts. Subcutis of interwoven, hyaline hyphae 2-10 µm diam with scattered, somewhat inflated cells, the walls 0.5-1.5 (-2) µm thick. Clamp connections absent. Gleba tramal mediostratum of interwoven, hyaline, thin-walled hyphae 2-6 µm diam with some slightly inflated cells, diverging to tightly interwoven, highly gelatinized cells from the tips of which grow very indistinct, thin-walled, interweaving, hyaline hyphae that fill the chambers but soon autolyse, the palisade also autolysing about the time that spores begin to form.

Chamonixia caespitosa is characterized by the blue staining peridium, dark brown spores with longitudinal ridges and non-gelatinized sterile tissues of the sporocarp.

Basidiomata subglobose, 5-26 x 8-40 mm, the base indented and often with a stipe-columella 2-3 mm thick that protrudes up to 5 mm beyond the gleba and is often recurved and appressed againstthe lower peridium. Peridium felty, white or, in well matured specimens olivaceous, quickly staining deep blue when exposed or cut, readily separable. Gleba with labyrinthine locules, in youth white and staining blue when exposed, especially near the peridium, at maturity dark brown from spores massed on the locule surfaces; stipe columella varying from percurrent, 2-3 mm thick and protruding from the basidioma base to only a small basal pad, the context at first white but later often becoming yellow to light orange brown near and below the base, quickly turning blue when exposed. Odor pleasant, fungoid to slightly resinous. Taste not distinctive. Peridium with two distinct layers: epicutis of loosely interwoven to appressed, hyaline, thin-walled hyphae 7-9 µm in diam; subcutis of several tiers of ± isodiametric, hyaline, thin-walled cells up to 30 µm in diam, often in radially aligned rows. Clamp connections not found. Glebal trama of hyaline, subparallel, hyaline hyphae 3-5 µm in diam, the walls thin or slightly gelatinous thickened. Subcutis of isodiametric cells. Basidia with 4 sterigmata, 32-38 x 15-20 µm. Clamp connections and cystidia lacking. Spores broadly ellipsoid, dark brown at maturity, 13-22 x 10-16 µm excluding the ornamentation of 6-14 straight to spiraling, often forked, dark brown, longitudinal ridges up to 3 µm tall near the spore middle, up to 5 µm tall near the spore apex, the lateral margins of the ridges ragged, the ridges not meeting at the spore apex; sterigmal attachment inconspicuous, ±1 x 2 µm.

Gastroboletus imbellus is characterized by its drab coloration, persistently membranous-appendiculate margin, rather unpleasant taste and loculate gleba with very short glebal tubes.

Basidiomata 50 mm broad, convex expand, boletoid in appearance except for the lateral attachment of the "pileus" to the stipe-columella. Odor of context pungent-farinaceous. Taste slightly bitter. Peridium: moist but not viscid, the ground color grayish yellow overlain by dark olivaceous fibrils to produce an overall sordid grayish appearance. Cutis ruptures by a few broad cracks that extend deeply into the context, which is rose-blushed where thus exposed. Margin raggedly membranous-appendiculate from a 2-3 mm broad extension of the peridium. Context: 20 mm thick at attachment of stipe-columella, soft, white with scattered pale yellow stained areas, a rosy zone above the gleba and a 2 mm thick olive-hygrophanous zone under the cutis, slowly and erratically staining light sordid brownish where cut. Where wetted with 5% KOH context quickly turns deep lilac adjacent to the peridium. Gleba: exposed, tubulose, the tubes decurrent, readily separable from context, very short (not exceeding 2 mm in length), pale grayish olive. Pores rotund, 1/4-1 mm broad, mostly blocked by folds and outgrowths of wall tissue. Tubes oriented at about 40 degrees from vertical. When wetted with 5% KOH, tube mouths become dark brown, bases deep lilac. Stipe-columella: 30 mm long, 15 mm thick at apex, equal except for a slight attenuation at the base, laterally attached to pileus; apical surface dry, dull yellowish, the color grading to sordid creamy in the mid-portion to pale salmonaceous with copious dark brown stains at base; upper half with dark brown to black glandular dots which are minute singly but often coalesced into patches up to one-half mm broad; no trace of peridial remnants remaining on stipe; context pallid with a vinaceous blush near the base, slowly sordid when cut. Spores: 2.5 x 7-10 µ, thin walled, smooth, narrowly to broadly ellipsoid to obovate, slightly inequilateral in profile, mostly with one or two large guttules and often with several smaller ones, hyaline in KOH and pale yellow in Melzer’s (the few fertile basidia scattered in the granular dots of the stipes produced spores that were pale to dark vinaceous in KOH). Hymenium: Basidia 3-5 (7) x 20-30 µ, thin walled, hyaline and guttulate in KOH, sterigmata inconspicuous. Brachybasidioles similar to basidia but shorter. Cystidia fascicled, 4-6 x 25-60 µ, hyaline to vinaceous to dark brown in KOH with much brown, amorphous material deposited at the base of the clusters, cylindric to fusoid-ventricose or irregularly constricted. Tissue: Clamp connections lacking. Epicutis of peridium in KOH of granulated, pale brownish, thin walled hyphae 3-6 µ broad; subcutis similar except that hyphae are 5-12 µ broad and much yellowish to pale vinaceous debris is present. In Melzer’s epicuticular hyphae are yellowishand subcuticular hyphae more or less vinaceous stained; orange-brown pigment balls scattered throughout. Context of interwoven, hyaline, thin walled hyphae 5-20 µ broad, with sparsely scattered vinaceous debris; in Melzer’s, the hyphae yellowish but obscured by abundant, orange-brown pigment balls. Hyphae of stipe-columella similar to those of peridial context but more or less parallel; glandular dots are palisades of dark brown, much encrusted elements 5-9 µ broad, including scattered fertile basidia. Subglebal tissue bright lilac in KOH when fresh and diffusing a lilac pigment into the mounting medium, merely vinaceous when revived in KOH; in Melzer’s deep yellow with many brown, amorphous deposits; hyphae thin-walled, 3-8 µ broad, oleiferous hyphae present. Trama of tubes parallel, hyaline, thin-walled hyphae 4-14 µ broad, oleiferous hyphae few.

Gastroboletus ruber is characterized by a much reduced stipe, coloration of the peridium, and large spores distinguish it from other taxa in the genus Gastroboletus.

Basidiomata 20-40 x 20-55 mm, subglobose to turbinate or lobed, solitary to gregarious or caespitose, hypogeous to emergent. Peridium rose to brownish red or reddish brown and persistent on apex of percurrent stipe-columella, dingy pale yellow to dark reddish brown and usually evanescent where covering mouths of exposed tubular glebal locules but sometimes partially persisting and then becoming yellowish brown to cinnamon and depressed in the tube mouths to give a reticulate appearance. Gleba light yellow in youth, dark olive at maturity, initially of separable tubes 0.5-1 mm in diam divided into labyrinthine locules ±0.2 mm in diam, upon expansion the tubular organization becomes disrupted but the labyrinthine locules still radiate and are up to 0.5 (-0.8) mm in diam, the exposed locule mouths tinged reddish orange to red at maturity, turning blue where bruised or cut, separable from the columella. Stipe-columella pale yellow with a concolorous context, turning blue instantly where cut, columnar to dendroid, percurrent or not, with many branches reaching or nearly reaching the peridium, projecting as much as 1 cm below the glebal base, up to 1.5 cm broad at the apex when percurrent. Basal hyphae white to pale yellow. Odor not distinctive. Taste not recorded. Spores (8-) 9-15 (-20) x 4-6 µm, smooth, asymmetric, subfusiform, walls up to 0.5 µm thick, pale green to olive in KOH, pale orange yellow in Melzer’s reagent. Basidia 26-40 x 7-11 µm, thin-walled, cylindrical to clavate, hyaline, 2- to 4- spored, sterigmata 4-5 µm long. Cystidia 25-50 x 4-14 µm, scattered, thin-walled, fusoid-ventricose, hyaline to pale olive in KOH, lacking encrustation. Subhymenium cellular, 2-3 cells deep, cells 3-10 µm in diam. Trama 25-170 µm thick, of hyaline, thin-walled, subparallel to interwoven hyphae 2-12 µm in diam, laticiferous hyphae occasional. Stipe-columella composed of thin-walled, hyaline, branched hyphae, 3-12 (-15) µm in diam, laticiferous hyphae scattered near the peridium. Clamp Connections absent. Peridial epicutis initially differentiated as a palisade of cylindric to clavate dermatocystidia 15-30(-70) x 3-10 µm, hyaline to pale yellow in KOH, becoming a disrupted turf over the gleba as the basidiome expands but remaining a palisade over the percurrent columellar apices, in age the contents turning yellow to brown.

Gastroboletus subalpinus is characterized by its smooth, generally whitish-pallid peridium and stipe.

Basidiomata 60-100 mm broad, convex, becoming plane to deeply depressed to plano-convex at maturity, boletoid in overall appearance, frequently highly pitted and wrinkled and irregular in outline. Odor of context mild to farinaceous; taste mild, pleasant. Peridium: upper surface dry to moist, glabrous t velutinous to subtomentose, typically covered with adherent soil and debris; when young warm buff to light buff to pale olive buff, unchanging with age or darkening to near clay color to buckthorn brown; peridium on lateral and undersides of gleba white, thin, velvety, persistent except for scattered, circular ruptures over mouths of occasional gleba tubes in age, dirtyfrom copious, adherent soil. Context 3-15 mm thick at disc, tapering gradually to margin of upper surface, soft, white or on some with sordid yellowish to olivaceous zones, in some basidiomes slowly staining pinkish to grayish lavender when cut. Gleba: tubulose, the tubes 10-30 mm long, but markedly diminished in length in both directions from the broadest point of the hymenophore. In youth grayish yellow, dark olive buff, with age becoming olive brown. Gleba depressed to seceded from stipe-columella, strongly projecting beyond upper peridium but the covered by the thin pallid, lateral peridium. Tubes occasionally oriented vertically near the stipe columella, but mostly curved and oriented 20 degrees from vertical to horizontal or angled upwards near edges of the hymenophore. Pores small, less than 1 mm broad, concolorus with tubes, unchanging when bruised. Stipe-columella: 20-50 mm long, 20-45 mm thick at apex, subventricose or tapering downward, occasionally equal to bulbous at the base, base up to 3-4 cm broad in some basidiomes; surface dirty white to "warm buff" to "light buff" (R) in some, the base orange yellow; dry, but typically covered with adherent soil and debris; glabrous subtomentose with the apex reticulate when the gleba has seceded. Context white, unchanging. Spores: 4.5-6 (8) x 10-16 (18) µm, smooth, ellipsoid, oblong to subovate, occasionally irregular constricted near middle, light yellow to ochraceous in KOH and Melzer's. moderately thick-walled, sterigmal appendages oblique. Hymenium: Basidia 8-13 x 40-48 µm, thin-walled, hyaline and guttulate in KOH, clavate, evenly attenuating from above the middle to a narrow base, with 4 sterigmata, 3-4 µm long. Brachybasidioles 7-12 x 25-40 µm, similar in shape and appearance to basidia. Cystidia often abundant when young, especially on the pores, apparently collapsing and appearing infrequently with age, single or sometimes clustered, hyaline in KOH and Melzer's thin walled, subcylindric to clavate to tapered, 7-10 x 24-75 µm. Tissue: Clamp connections lacking. Epicutis of peridium on top of basidiome composed of densely interwoven, much branched hyphae 4-15 µm broad, with erect, tapered, blunt-tipped terminal cells 7-12 x 25-45 µm, sparsely scattered over the surface. In KOH all hyphae hyaline; in Melzer's hyphae pallid to pale yellow to bright reddish brown (intensity of color reaction in Melzer's varieties directly with degree of coloration of epicutis). The more darkly colored areas of epicutis contain intercellular deposits of dextrinoid debris. Peridial epicutis over lateral and undersides of gleba when young a trichodermium that collapses with age, of blunt-tipped, cylindric to tapered to occasionally subcapitate cells 8-12 x 27-65 µm. subtrichodermial hyphae interwoven, 4-10 µm broad, confluent with glebal trama and stuffing the mouths of glebal tubes through maturity, hyaline in KOH except for localized pale golden brown areas, in Melzer's uniformly pale yellow. Oleiferous hyphae abundant. Context of upper peridium of thin-walled, often inflated, loosely interwoven hyphae (3) 8-25 µm broad. Hyaline oleiferous hyphae 12-20 µm broad and with walls thickened to 1µm are scattered throughout. Cutis of stipe-columella when young a palisade of hyaline clavate cells 6-15 x 22-35 µm, with occasional fertile basidia, collapsing in age and then present only at remnant patches. Context of stipe-columella of subparallel to interwoven hyphae 4-15 µm broad, hyaline in KOH and pale yellow in Melzer's. Oleiferous hyphae abundant. Trama of glebal tubes 60-80 µm wide, consisting of hyaline, parallel hyphae 4-6 (8) µ broad, not divergent. Subhymenium interwoven of hyphae similar to trama but with inflated cells 5-15 µm broad scattered throughout.

Gastroboletus vividus is characterized by the bright yellows and reds of fresh sporocarps and the nonamyloid spores.

Basidiomata subhypogeous, 30-50 x 35-65 mm, boletoid but with pileus margins strongly upturned, the cutis yellow with reddish areas or reddish blushed overall, dry, felty; context pale yellow, very slowly staining pale red where exposed, with narrow, olive to red zones at tube attachment and immediately beneath the cutis. Tubes adnate-seceding, aligned from slightly below horizontal to nearly vertically upward, often contorted, 10-20 mm long, olive; mouths circular to ellipsoid and0.5-2 mm broad, initially brilliant yellow but soon becoming olive and by maturity reddish orange to dark red, not bluing where bruised. Stipe 20-30 x 10-25 mm, red furfuraceous at apex, abruptly bulbous below tube layer and brilliant yellow to sordid yellow; context red at apex, light yellow below, not changing color when exposed. Odor and taste not distinctive. Pileus cutis a loose tangle of hyaline, thin-walled hyphae 4-8 µm in diam at septa, the cells mostly slightly inflated; context of tightly interwoven, hyaline, thin-walled hyphae 3-8 µm in diam, the cells generally not or only slightly inflated. Stipe epicutis and context of hyphae similar to that of pileus context but tending to be parallel and with scattered cells inflated up to 25 µm. Clamp connections not found. Tube trama parallel, of hyaline, thin-walled hyphae 2-4 µm in diam at septa, most cells slightly inflated. Subhymenium of hyphae similar to those of trama but interwoven. Basidia clavate, 30-45 x 9-11 µm with (2-) 4 sterigmata 3-4 x 1 µm. Cystidia not found. Spores fusoid, bilaterally symmetrical, smooth, (11-) 13-18 (-22) x 6-7 µm, the walls 0.5 µm thick, in KOH golden yellow singly and bright brownish yellow in mass, in Melzer's reagent light yellow singly and brownish yellow in mass, in cotton blue moderate to deep blue.

Gastrosuillus amaranthii is characterized by fascicled cystidia which stain purple to brown in dilute KOH, presence of glandulae on the stipe, having dark brown tubes, and short basidiospores.

Pileus strongly gastroid, often completely enclosing the gleba and not expanding at full maturity; 10-35 mm broad at maturity, somewhat convex when young often becoming highly irregular or plane to shallowly depressed with age. Surface glabrous, moist to subviscid, changing immediately to purple when treated with dilute KOH; colored brown (sayal brown to Mikado brown) on the disc, often somewhat paler toward the margin, some basidiomes when young considerably paler over all, not changing when bruised. Context white to very pale yellow, unchanging, purple with dilute KOH. Taste and odor mild. Tubes highly disorganized and not vertically oriented, 3-8 mm long, white to sometimes pale buff, not yellow; pores white to whitish, less than 1 mm broad, angular, not bluing when bruised. Stipe more or less centrally attached, 1-2.5 cm long, 1-1.5 cm broad, white to whitish, sometimes with yellowish tints, glandular dots present but sometimes obscure, colored pale yellowish to pale orange, darker near the apex; purple with KOH. Context white, marbled with bright yellow areas. No veil present. Spores 6.5-8.2 x 3-4 µm, hyaline to very pale brown in KOH, subellipsoid to subcylindric, apiculus eccentric; walls smooth, thin. Basidia 20-32 x 4-6 µm, clavate to subclavate, hyaline in KOH, 4-spored. Hymenial cystidia fascicled, with purplish to vinaceous discoloration’s at the base when mounted in KOH, eventually entire cystidia becoming purplish, cylindric to subclavate, 25-31 x 7-8 µm. Tube trama hyaline, interwoven, hyaline to pale yellow in KOH, homogenous. Pileus cuticle differentiated as a poorly defined ixotrichodermium; viscidity not strong; deep vinaceous purple in dilute KOH.

Gastrosuillus umbrinus is characterized by presence of glandular dots on the stipe, dark brown tubes, and small stipe columella.

Basidiomata hypogeous to subhypogeous, 25-50 mm broad, boletoid, the pileus margins upturned, the cutis dark sordid brown with a sparse tomentum over a shiny-smooth surface; context brownish white to pale brown. Tubes adnate to decurrent, aligned from vertical to above horizontal, contorted and anastomosed, 8-17 mm long, brownish olive to dark brown, the mouths circular to ellipsoid, 0.5-2 mm broad, dark brown. Stipe 10-20 x 7-15 mm, ventricose or tapering downward, barely protruding below the tubes, pale brown to brown with brown to black glandular dots from apex to base, the context light brown with brown patches especially near the apex. Odor pleasant, taste not recorded. Pileus cutis a loose tangle of hyaline, thin-walled hyphae 3-8 µm in diam at septa, many cells slightly inflated, the tissue obscured by abundant, extracellular, brown granules;context of interwoven, hyaline, thin-walled hyphae 4-10 µm in diam at septa, most cells strongly inflated, with scattered, extracellular, brown granules. Stipe cutis and context of hyphae similar to that of pileus context but tending to be parallel; caulocystidia clustered, obscured by dense deposits of amorphous pigment that is vinaceous in KOH mounts of fresh specimens, brown in long-dried specimens rehydrated in KOH. Tube trama parallel, of hyaline, thin-walled hyphae 1.5-3 µm in diam at septa, a few cells slightly inflated. Subhymenium of ± isodiametric cells 5-8 µm in diam. Basidia clavate, 18-28 (-35) x 7-9 µm, with (2-) 4 sterigmata. Pleurocystidia in clusters, hyaline, thin-walled, obtuse-cylindric, 60-90 x 6-9 µm, often with crystalline contents, the bases obscured by dense deposits of brown, amorphous material; single cystidia scattered in hymenium, hyaline, thin-walled, obtuse-cylindric, 25-35 x 6-8 µm. Spores ellipsoid, the apiculus eccentric, smooth, thin-walled, 7-10 x (3-) 3.5-4 µm, in KOH light yellow singly and brownish yellow in mass, in Melzer’s reagent pale olive singly and light olivaceous brown in mass, in cotton blue light to moderate blue.

Rhizopogon brunneiniger is characterized by the basal attachment of rhizomorphs, glabrous black shiny peridium, and yellowish olive gleba.

Basidiomata 3 x 2 1 cm or 1-2 cm diam, globose to subglobose and some ellipsoid; surface glabrous and shiny as dried, lacunose at times, dark cinnamon to black-brown), blackening completely in drying, with a basal group of rhizomorphs or a single basal rhizomorph attaching the basidiome to the substratum. Gleba white at first, becoming olivaceous, drying pale sepia to olive-clay color, consistency firm-cartilaginous, hard when dried. Columella absent (as seen on dried material). Spores 5-6.5 (-7) x 1.8-2.3(-2.5) µ, cylindric to narrowly oblong, smooth, wall not appreciably thickened, hyaline singly in KOH, in groups yellow-brown; in Melzer's reagent. yellowish singly and slightly darker in groups and typically with a false septum. Basidia 8-spored. Paraphyses hyaline, becoming thick-walled amorphous content no darkening in Melzer's reagent. Tramal plates of interwoven hyaline gelatinous smooth narrow hyphae; subhymenium cellular and cells becoming thick-walled like the paraphyses. Peridium a single layer of very closely interwoven hyphae with hyaline walls but much black coagulated content as in taxa giving a green to olive fuscous reaction with KOH but no green visible in mounts revived in KOH, in Melzer's reagent. the pigment rounding into large rusty brown to fuscous-brown pigments balls. No sphaerocysts seen. Clamp connections none. All hyphae nonamyloid.

Rhizopogon chamaleontinus is characterized by white peridium that stains vinaceous to fuscus, an olive to black reaction of KOH on the peridium, lack of any yellow tones to the peridium and an unusual amyloid pattern of the spores, immature spores are dark violet, mature spores are inamyloid.

Basidiomata 1-2 cm. diam., globose to irregular; when young with numerous appressed fibrils and rhizomorphs but in age or as dried nearly glabrous; white when young, darkening to fuscous black in drying; FeSO4 on surface quickly black, KOH olive then black; when handled staining fuscous to vinaceous fuscous. Gleba pallid, becoming wood brown and avellaneous as dried, chambers minute, consistency cartilaginous fresh, very hard when dry. Columella absent. Spores variable, 6-9 x 3-4.5 (5) µm, elongate-drop-shaped to subelliptic or at times somewhat irregular; wall slightly thickened; when fresh the spores in the outer cavities (near peridium) violet black in Melzer’s but those in the interior dingy ochraceous to hyaline (inamyloid). In revived material the same is true except that the spores in the outer cavities are dark violet and those in the interior are cinnamon buff in Melzer’s (when strongly amyloid, this reaction may include the entire spore or part of it; some spores were seen with an inamyloid "plage"); as revived in KOH many spores are seen adhering to each other or with adhering debris. Basidia 4- and 6-spored (not many clearly seen), 7-9 broad atapex, clavate, length variable. Basidioles apparently not becoming thick-walled. Subhymenium of subgelatinous hyphae, branching candelabra-like (not filamentose interwoven or cellular); hyphae hyaline in KOH and Melzer’s, content in places rarely showing amyloid strands; hyphae of tramal plates gelatinous and interwoven, 4-7 µm diam. Hyphae of peridium 5-12 µm diam, the cells mostly elongate, some near the cavities vinaceous red in KOH as revived, this color at times extending to hyphae of the outer tramal plates; dark, dull orange-brown pigment balls and bodies numerous in Melzer’s mounts but none violet; much debris in the layer (as seen in both KOH and Melzer’s). Clamp connection none.

Rhizopogon ellipsosporus is characterized within the genus by short broad spores.

Basidiomes 15 x 24 mm, subglobose, moderate brown with scattered, appressed, concolorous rhizomorphs. Gleba solid, rubbery, light yellowish brown, the color a combination of white to brown trama and light brownish yellow spore masses filling the rounded locules 0.1-0.4 mm broad; columella lacking. Odor and taste not recorded. Peridium 120-160 µm thick, of appressed-interwoven, hyaline to pale yellow, thin-walled hyphae 3-4 µm in diam, many cells inflated to 4-6 µm, with abundant, extracellular deposits of amorphous yellowish brown pigment in KOH, in Melzer’s reagent the pigment orange brown. Clamp connections not found. Glebal trama with a central strand of loosely interwoven, hyaline hyphae 2-3 µm in diam with gelatinous-thickened, glassy-appearing walls, the broad zones between the central strand and locule margins of similar but tightly interwoven hyphae that diverge to form a filamentous subhymenium. Basidia thin-walled, clavate, 12-24 x 4-10, with interspersed ellipsoid, hyaline brachybasidioles 13-20 (-30) x 8-11 (-20) µm with walls gelatinous-thickened up to 5 µm. Spores (4-) 4.5-6 x 3-4 µm, ellipsoid to obovoid or occasionally irregular, smooth, thin-walled, the sterigmal attachment ± 1 µm broad, with a single, large guttule, in KOH hyaline singly and in mass brownish yellow, in Melzer’s reagent light yellow singly and in mass brownish yellow, in cotton blue light to moderate blue.

Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus is characterized by yellow brown peridium, the red reaction of the peridium when bruised, small narrow spores, and the inflated cells in the lower portion of the peridium.

Basidiomata 10-30 mm in diam, globose, subglobose, or irregular in outline; surface dry, white when fresh, fibrillose under a lens (but not the soft cottony type), when handled staining ochraceous and then reddish, in age near "natal-brown" but merely dark "wood-brown" as dried, with appressed rhizomorphs over the surface, in age specimens that have remained uninjured are merely dingy pallid; KOH on surface dark red, ethanol slowly pinkish brown and FeSO4 distinctly olive. Odor none. Gleba white becoming pale and then darker olivaceous, chambers small. Columella absent. Spores 6.5-7.5 x 2 µ, narrowly oblong, hyaline in KOH individually and in groups, in Melzer's reagent. yellowish singly and in groups, smooth, wall thin, basal scar inconspicuous. Basidia 6-8 spored, subcylindric, hyaline, thin-walled. Paraphyses 6-12 µ, broad, subglobose to oval, all thin-walled and nonrefractive. Cystidia none. Tramal plates of smooth hyaline refractive gelatinous hyphae as revived in KOH, the subhymenium cellular and the lower (inner) cells also refractive. Peridium somewhat separable, when cut at first pallid but soon reddish, of appressed-interwoven hyphae 4-12 µ in diam, many scattered inflated cells present, pinkish next to gleba on fresh sections mounted in KOH, when sections of dried material are revived in KOH the layer is evenly about "snuff brown" and amorphous pigment deposits numerous. Clamp connections none. All tissues nonamyloid.

Rhizopogon exiguus is characterized by a farinaceous odor, long basidia, and the bright reddish brown spores and peridium when mounted in KOH

Basidiomata 2-10 mm broad, globose or nearly so, lobed in large specimens, consistency soft and spongy, surface smooth, white with ochraceous mottling, becoming snuff-brown, fibrils scanty above, rhizomorphic below. Gleba white then brown, concolor with peridium as dried in mature specimens, cavities small, rounded, partly filled with spores. Odor farinaceous. Spores 7-8 x 5-5.5 µm, oval to elliptic and base truncate from broad basal scar, yellowish individually as revived in KOH and rusty cinnamon in mass, in Melzer's reagent. yellowish to rusty yellowish, wall smooth and slightly thickened. Basidia 20-40 x 6-7.5 µm, narrowly clavate, walls may be thickened slightly as well as colored pale cinnamon (revived in KOH). Paraphyses 14-20 x 7-10 µm, hyaline, thin-walled, nongelatinous. Cystidia none seen. Tramal plates of hyaline refractive hyphae, not obviously gelatinous, subparallel to interwoven, subhymenium of branched filaments. Peridium a single layer of compactly interwoven hyphae in mass bright rusty cinnamon in KOH, at the exterior with loosely interwoven hyphae yellowish in KOH but not forming a distinct epicutis, hyphae thin-walled or walls very slightly thickened. Clamp connections absent. All tissues non-amyloid.

Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus is characterized by the yellow peridium that stains dull purplish red in KOH.

Basidiomata 3-5.5 cm broad, globose to depressed-subglobose or irregular in shape, largest one 5.5 cm wide, 2.2 cm deep; surface dry and uneven, pallid when very young but soon overlaid with "straw-yellow" fibrils and rhizomorphs, at maturity variously colored, greenish yellow over some areas and rose tinted over others but remaining pallid in the most protected places, virgate from appressed fibrils, attached by a basal cluster of rhizomorphs which extend up toward the surface; KOH on fresh peridium dull purplish red, FeSO4 slowly pale olivaceous, ethanol no reaction; sectioned peridium not staining when cut. Gleba whitish becoming pale olivaceous, chambers becoming large in age (up to 0.5 mm). Columella absent. Spores 5.5-6.5 (-7) x 2.5-2.8 µ, narrowly elliptic to nearly oblong and with a faint basal truncation from sterigmal scar, smooth, walls very slightly thickened, hyaline in KOH and very weakly yellowish in Melzer's reagent. Basidia mostly 6-spored, 16-20 x 6-7 µ, hyaline, thin-walled collapsing readily. Basidioles resembling basidia, thin-walled throughout. Cystidia absent. Tramal plates of refractive hyaline narrow hyphae 2-4 µ diam, and subparallel to interwoven in arrangement, appearing non-gelatinous in fresh material; subhymenium narrow, usually the basal cell of an hymenial element and the short branch from the tramal hypha. Peridium at first with an epicutis in the form of a trichodermium of short branched hyphae with end cells 26-40 x 5-9 µ and subcylindric to clavate, hyaline and thin-walled; subcutis of appressed parallel to interwoven hyphae reddish in KOH from a dissolved pigment, some encrusting pigment present on surface or near it; scattered groups of enlarged cells present (indicating cut hyphal ends of groups of hyphae at right angles to the general direction of the remainder of the hyphae). Clamp connections absent. All tissues nonamyloid.

Rhizopogon inquinatus is characterized by the fuscus stains on the peridium and the large amyloid globules in the peridium.

Basidiomata about 2 cm diam, globose to subglobose, surface dry and appressed fibrillose when perfectly fresh, whitish at first, on exposure to air pallid buff and where handled slowly staining inky-fuscous but with an intervening reddish stage, KOH on white surface reddish then fuscous-black, FeSO4 olivaceous but finally black, odor none. Gleba olive at maturity, when cut soon becoming olive-brown to black but when dried brownish olivaceous, rubbery in consistency, chambers labrynthiform. Columella absent. Spores 6.5-7.5 (-8) x 3-3.5 µm, elliptic to oval and with a distinct cup-like truncation at base, smooth, walls only slightly thickened, dingy yellowish in KOH singly, dull cinnamon in masses, in Melzer's reagent. dull yellowish singly and dull rustybrown in groups. Basidia 4- and 6- spored (possibly all 8- spored). Basidioles hyaline, thin-walled, subgelatinous, 6-9 µm broad. Trama of gelatinous narrow branched interwoven hyphae 3-5 µm diam; subhymenium of gelatinous-filamentous branches extending to a weak cellular region below hymenium. Peridium of loosely interwoven hyaline thin-walled filaments 3-5 µm, diam, smooth and the layer clean (as seen in KOH fresh), as revived in KOH with dark cinnamon granules of amorphous pigment, in Melzer's reagent. (both fresh and dried) with dark violet globules up to 30 µm or more diam free in the layer, no sphaerocysts or large inflated cells present. Clamp connections none. All tissues nonamyloid.

Rhizopogon parksii is characterized by its dark olive gleba, blue reaction of the peridium to bruising, and its relatively short spores.

Basidiomata 10-40 mm in diam, subglobose to irregular and lobed. Peridium felty, in youth white, staining pink to violet where bruised, with age developing an epicutis of dark hyphae, at maturity with a dark gray to dark olive epicutis with brown to brownish black areas overlying a sordid white subcutis, not staining where bruised or subcutis staining pink to dark brown to brownish black or bluish black. Gleba white in youth, soon becoming gray to olive, at maturity dark olivaceous gray to dark olive. Odor at maturity fungoid to pungent. Taste not distinctive. Peridial epicutis of brown, loosely interwoven hyphae with thin to somewhat thickened walls, flagellate hyphal ends often common, in water or Melzer’s reagent with scattered to abundant black granules that dissolve in KOH to form a green fluid; subcutis a relatively thick layer of interwoven, hyaline, thin-walled hyphae, the layer pink to red in KOH and often with red to orange amorphous debris. Clamp connections lacking. Gleba trama of interwoven hyphae with walls that become gelatinous-thickened at maturity. Subhymenium cellular. Basidia 14-16 x 4-6 µm. Clamp connections and cystidia lacking. Spores ellipsoid to ovoid, 5-7 x 2.5-3 µm, hyaline, thin-walled.

2. Reproductive Biology

All taxa are sequestrate fungi and thus are presumed to be dependent on mycophagy for dispersal of spores. Sequestrate fungi have sporocarps that have evolved from having exposed hymenia and forcibly discharged spores to a closed or even hypogeous habit in which the spores are retained in the sporocarp until it is consumed by an animal vector or it decays. Sequestrate fungi encompasses an artificial grouping of various genera or taxa from different families that are dependent on mycophagy for spore dispersal. Mycophagy is the consumption of fungi by animals. No specific information on reproductive biology is available for any of these taxa at this time.

3. Ecology

All taxa are presumed ectomycorrhiza formers. Mycorrhiza is the symbiotic, mutually beneficial association between a fungus and plant root. This highly interdependent relationship involves the translocation of mineral nutrients and water by the fungus to the host plant while the fungus obtains photosynthetic carbon from the host plant. Some mycorrhizal associations are strongly host specific. Many plants depend upon mycorrhizal fungi for adequate uptake of nutrients and survival in nature. Likewise mycorrhizal fungi depend upon their host plant for carbohydrate. No specific ecological information is available for any of these taxa at this time except that all these taxa form ectomycorrhiza with Pinaceae.

C. Range, Known Sites

Alpova alexsmithii is known from 6 sites, 5 of which are on Federal land within the range of thenorthern spotted owl: Washington: Thurston Co., Mt. Rainier National Park, Meadow Creek at 4,000 ft. elevation. Oregon: Clackamas Co., Mt. Hood National Forest, Still Creek forest camp at 3,800 ft. elevation; Jefferson Co., Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area, below Carl Lake at 5,250 ft. elevation; Lane Co., Williamette National Forest, Williamette Pass at 5,100 ft. elevation; Marion Co., south shore of Breitenbush Lake, east of Lakeside camp shelter at 5,500 ft. elevation. The other site is from Canada, British Columbia, Mt. Seymour at 4,000 ft. elevation.

Alpova aurantiacus is known from 2 sites, both of which are on Federal land within the range of the northern spotted owl in Oregon: Deschutes Co., Deschutes National Forest, Devils Lake at 5,200 ft. elevation and Linn Co., Williamette National Forest, head of Hackleman Creek.

Alpova olivaceotinctus is known from 2 sites within the range of the northern spotted owl. Both sites within the assessment area on private land in California: Siskiyou Co., west of Hilt on Fruit Growers Supply Co. land. Two additional collections were found in unspecified locations in coastal northern California. Other California collections are known outside the assessment area from Plumas Co. (3 collections) and Riverside Co. (one collection).

Chamonixia caespitosa is known from 5 sites within the range of the northern spotted owl: Oregon: Tillamook Co., Siuslaw National Forest, Cascade Head Experimental Forest, summit of old Hwy. 101; Lincoln Co., Siuslaw National Forest, Cape Perpetua. Washington: Jefferson Co., Olympic National Forest, Lost Creek; Chelan Co., Wenatchee National Forest, Rainy Pass. California: Humboldt Co., Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek. Chamonixia caespitosa is also known from New York, France, and Germany.

Gastroboletus imbellus is known from only one site in Oregon: Lane Co., Williamette National Forest, approximately 2 miles up the Olallie trail at the crest of the trail, near 5,000 ft. elevation.

Gastroboletus ruber is known from 11 sites, all of which are on Federal land within the range of the northern spotted owl: Oregon: Clackamas Co., Mt. Hood National Forest, McNeil Point trail at 5,000 ft. elevation; Hood River Co., Mt. Hood National Forest, Tillie Jane campground at 5,500 ft. elevation; Jefferson Co., Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area, 0.5 miles south of Cabot Lake at 5,400 ft. elevation; Jefferson Co., Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area, east end of Cabot Lake at 5,500 ft. elevation; Jefferson Co., Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area, Mt. Shirley Lake at 5,600 ft. elevation; Lane Co., Williamette National Forest, English Mt. at 5,600 ft. elevation. Washington: Whatcom Co., Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, 4 miles north of Copper Lake at 4,500 ft. elevation; Whatcom Co., Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Upper Chilliwack River at 4,000 ft. elevation; Whatcom Co., Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Hannegan Pass at 4,800 ft. elevation; Skamania Co., Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Indian Heaven, Tombstone Lake at 4,600 ft. elevation; and 3 collections from Chelan Co., Glacier Peak Wilderness, Lyman Lake campground at 5,600 ft. elevation.

Gastroboletus subalpinus is known from at least 16 different sites, all but 3 sites are on Federal land within the range of the northern spotted owl: Oregon: Clackamas Co., Mt. Hood National Forest, Timothy Lake and Clackamas Lake; Lane Co., Winema National Forest, 1 mile west of Frog camp; Deschutes Co., Deschutes National Forest, Elk Lake; Hood River Co., Mt. Hood National Forest, Cloud Cap; Klamath Co., Winema National Forest, 2 miles east of Cascade Pass; Klamath Co., Crater Lake National Park, Goodbye campground. California: Siskiyou Co., Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Panther Meadow; Siskiyou Co., Panther Creek area, Horse camp, Bear Springs; Siskiyou Co., Marble Mt. Wilderness Area, Haypress trail.

Gastroboletus vividus is known from only two sites, both in Oregon from within the range of the northern spotted owl: Klamath Co., Crater Lake National Park, Cleatwood picnic area and Jackson Co., Jackson Gap.

Gastrosuillus amaranthii is known from only one site in California: Tehama Co., Lassen National Forest, approximately 1 mile north of the junction of Hwy. #89 and #36, near 5,000 ft. elevation.

Gastrosuillus umbrinus is known from only one site which happens to be on Federal land in California: Siskiyou Co., Klamath National Forest, Deadfall Meadows, near 7,000 ft. elevation.

Rhizopogon brunneiniger is known from 6 sites, all within the range of the northern spotted owl: Oregon: Douglas Co., Umpqua National Forest, Limpy Rock Research Natural Area, near 4,300 ft. elevation; Douglas Co., Umpqua National Forest, 2 miles west of Basket Butte at 4,500 ft. elevation; Benton Co., 6.5 miles west of Philomath on Alsea hwy.; Clackamas Co., Mt. Hood National Forest, Barlow Forest Camp. California: Marin Co., near Inverness, at 300 ft. elevation; Siskiyou Co., Klamath National Forest, Deadfall Meadows, near 7,000 ft. elevation.

Rhizopogon chamaleontinus is known from only two sites: the original type from Idaho and a single collection from Oregon, Josephine Co., Siskiyou National Forest, at saddle near Chinaman Hat, at 3,300 ft. elevation.

Rhizopogon ellipsosporus is known from only 1 site in Oregon: Josephine Co., Siskiyou National Forest, T36S R8W, section 21, on spur rd. off USFS rd. 2800, at 2,500 ft. elevation.

Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus is known from 16 sites, 15 of which are on Federal land within the range of the northern spotted owl: Oregon: Clackamas Co., Mt. Hood National Forest, Still Creek campground at 3,800 ft. elevation; Hood River Co., Mt. Hood National Forest, Tillie Jane campground at 5,500 ft. elevation; Deschutes Co., Deschutes National Forest, Soap Creek and Wickiup Plains at approx. 6,000 ft. elevation; Douglas Co., Umpqua National Forest, Cascade Pass and Windigo Pass; Klamath Co., Winema National Forest, Miller Lake, Digit Point campground at 5360 ft. elevation; Lane Co., Williamette National Forest, 0.5 miles north of Waldo Lake and at The Potholes. Washington: Pierce Co., Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, northeast slope of Sun Top Mt.; Skamania Co., Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Indian Prairie, Juniper Peak, Peterson Prairie, and Trapper Creek Wilderness Area. California: Siskiyou Co., Klamath National Forest, Deadfall Meadows at 7,000 elevation. The type collection was found in Idaho.

Rhizopogon exiguus is known from only 5 sites, all within the range of the northern spotted owl: Oregon: Benton Co., Siuslaw National Forest, Mary’s Peak at 2,800 ft. elevation; Josephine Co., Siskiyou National Forest, Waters Creek at 2,800 ft. elevation; Lane Co., Siuslaw National Forest, approximately 1 mile south of Mapleton. Washington: Pierce Co., Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Silver Springs campground; Kittitas Co., Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, just east of Naches Pass.

Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus is known from only 8 sites, 5 of which are within the range of the northern spotted owl: Oregon: Deschutes Co., Deschutes National Forest, Cultus Lake, along southeast side of USFS rd. 4630 at 4,500 ft. elevation; Curry Co., Siskiyou National Forest, LTEP study, Pistol River block, control plot at 2,800 ft. elevation; Curry Co., Siskiyou National Forest, Fairview Block, LSLW plot at 4,000 ft. elevation; Josephine Co., Siskiyou National Forest, on Illinois Valley rd. across from rd 011 at 3,100 ft. elevation. California: Siskiyou Co., Klamath National Forest, Deadfall Meadows at 7,000 ft. elevation. Additional sites are located at Smith’sFerry, Idaho, Channel Islands National Park, California and Mission Falls, Montana.

Rhizopogon inquinatus is known from only 3 sites, 2 of which are within the range of the northern spotted owl in Oregon: Linn Co., Williamette National Forest, Longbow campground at 1,500 ft. elevation and Linn Co., Williamette National Forest, Tombstone Pass at 4,200 ft. elevation. The original type collection was from Priest River Experimental Forest, Idaho.

Rhizopogon parksii is known from literally hundreds of locations in Northern California, western Oregon, and western Washington. It occurs from sea level to high elevation. This taxon was inadvertently added to the list as Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1692 and Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1698. 

D. Habitat Characteristics and Species Abundance 

All these taxa form sequestrate sporocarps in soil that develop and mature beneath the surface of the ground.

Alpova alexsmithii is found in association with the roots of assorted Pinaceae, particularly Tsuga mertensiana or T. heterophylla at high elevation.

Alpova aurantiacus is found in association with the roots of Abies lasiocarpa and Pseudotsuga menziesii.

Alpova olivaceotinctus is usually found in association with the roots of Abies spp.

Chamonixia caespitosa is found in association with the roots of Tsuga sp. and Abies amabilis at high elevation and Tsuga heterophylla, Pseudotsuga menziesii and Picea sitchensis in coastal forests.

Gastroboletus imbellus is found in association with the roots of Tsuga mertensiana, Abies lasiocarpa, A. grandis, with an understory of Vaccinium sp., Fragaria sp., Sorbus sitchensis, Pachistima myrsinites, and Antennaria lanata.

Gastroboletus ruber occurs above 4,000 ft. and is found in association with the roots of assorted Pinaceae, particularly Tsuga mertensiana, Abies amabilis, Abies procera, or Pinus monticola.

Gastroboletus subalpinus occurs above 4,700 ft. and is found in association with the roots of assorted Pinaceae, particularly Tsuga mertensiana, Abies magnifica, Pinus contorta, or Pinus albicaulis.

Gastroboletus vividus is found in association with the roots of Abies magnifica and Tsuga mertensiana above 5,000 ft..

Gastrosuillus amaranthii is found in association with the roots of Pinus lambertiana above 5,000 ft. Gastrosuillus umbrinus is found in association with the roots of Pinus monticola above 7,000 ft.

Rhizopogon brunneiniger is found in association with the roots of assorted Pinaceae including Tsuga mertensiana, T. heterophylla, Pinus monticola, P. contorta, P. muricata, Abies concolor, and Pseudotsuga menziesii.

Rhizopogon chamaleontinus is found in association with the roots of Pseudotsuga menziesii andscattered Pinus lambertiana at mid elevation (3,300 ft.).

Rhizopogon ellipsosporus is found with Pseudotsuga menziesii and scattered Pinus lambertiana at mid elevation (2,500 ft.). Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus is usually found in association with the roots of Tsuga mertensiana or Abies spp. at mid to high elevation.

Rhizopogon exiguus is found in association with the roots of Tsuga heterophylla and Pseudotsuga menziesii at mid elevation.

Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus is found in association with the roots of various Pinaceae, including Pinus contorta, P. lambertiana, P. attentuata, P. muricata, Abies concolor, A. lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii or Pseudotsuga menziesii at mid to high elevation.

Rhizopogon inquinatus is found in association with the roots of Tsuga heterophylla and Pseudotsuga menziesii at mid elevation.

Rhizopogon parksii is found in association with the roots of only Pseudotsuga menziesii from sea level to high elevation.

II. CURRENT SPECIES SITUATION 

A. Why Species is Listed under Survey and Manage Standards and Guidelines 

Potentially all taxa, except Rhizopogon parksii, are at risk from management and recreational activities that remove the mycorrhizal host or disturb the soil. 

Alpova alexsmithii is found within the range of the northern spotted owl from 5 disjunct populations. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 0 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 35 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 50 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 15 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. This taxon is believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of its rarity and dependent mycorrhizal association with high-elevation Tsuga mertensiana or T. heterophylla. 

Alpova aurantiacus is found within the range of the northern spotted owl from 5 disjunct populations. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 0 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 0 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 60 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 40 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. This taxon is believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of its rarity and dependent mycorrhizal association with high elevation Abies lasiocarpa or Pseudotsuga menziesii.  

Alpova olivaceotinctus is found within the range of the northern spotted owl from at least 2 disjunct populations. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 0 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 35 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 50 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 15 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. This taxon is believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of its rarity and dependent mycorrhizal association with Abies spp. 

Chamonixia caespitosa is found within the range of the northern spotted owl from at least 2 disjunct populations. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 0 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 35 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 50 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 15 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. Thistaxon is believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of its rarity and dependent mycorrhizal association with Pinaceae. 

Gastroboletus imbellus is found within the range of the northern spotted owl from only a single population. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 0 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 2 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 83 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 15 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. This taxon is believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of its rarity and dependent mycorrhizal association with high-elevation Abies spp. 

Gastroboletus ruber is found within the range of the northern spotted owl from eleven different sites. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 67 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 22 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 8 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 3 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. This taxon is believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of its rarity and dependent mycorrhizal association with high-elevation Abies spp. and Tsuga mertensiana. 

Gastroboletus subalpinus is found within the range of the northern spotted owl from sixteen disjunct sites. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 70 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 30 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 0 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 0 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. This taxon is believed to be at medium risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because it is well-distributed across the Oregon Cascades and northern Sierra Mountains in California and its dependent mycorrhizal association with high-elevation Abies spp. and Tsuga mertensiana. The sites are somewhat disjunct and are often areas of high recreational use. 

Gastroboletus vividus is found within the range of the northern spotted owl from only 2 disjunct populations. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 0 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 0 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 60 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 40 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. This taxon is believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of its rarity and dependent mycorrhizal association with high-elevation Tsuga mertensiana and Abies magnifica.  

Gastrosuillus amaranthii is not found within the range of the northern spotted owl. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 0 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 0 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 60 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 40 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. This taxon is believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of its rarity and dependent mycorrhizal association with high-elevation Pinus lambertiana. 

Gastrosuillus umbrinus is found within the range of the northern spotted owl from only a single population. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 0 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 0 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 60 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 40 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. This taxon is believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of its distinct rarity and dependent mycorrhizal association with high-elevation Pinus monticola. 

Rhizopogon brunneiniger is found within the range of the northern spotted owl from 6 disjunct populations. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 0 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 35 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 50 percentlikelihood of restriction to refugia, and 15 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. This taxon is believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of its rarity and disjunct populations. 

Rhizopogon chamaleontinus and Rhizopogon ellipsosporus are found within the range of the northern spotted owl from single populations. Under Option 9, these taxa were considered to have a 0 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 0 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 60 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 40 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. These taxa are believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of their distinct rarity and dependent mycorrhizal association with mid-elevational Pseudotsuga menziesii, much of which has been extensively logged.

Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus is found within the range of the northern spotted owl from only 2 disjunct populations. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 0 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 35 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 50 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 15 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. This taxon is believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of its rarity and dependent mycorrhizal association with high-elevation Tsuga mertensiana and Abies.

Rhizopogon exiguus is found within the range of the northern spotted owl from only 5 disjunct populations. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 0 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 35 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 50 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 15 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. This taxon is believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of its rarity and dependent mycorrhizal association with mid-elevation Tsuga heterophylla and Pseudotsuga menziesii.

Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus is found within the range of the northern spotted owl from only 5 disjunct populations. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 0 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 35 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 50 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 15 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. This taxon is believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of its rarity and dependent mycorrhizal association with mid-to high-elevation forest Pinus spp., Pseudotsuga menziesii, or Abies concolor.

Rhizopogon inquinatus is found within the range of the northern spotted owl from only 5 disjunct populations. Under Option 9, this taxon was considered to have a 0 percent likelihood of being well-distributed throughout its range, 35 percent likelihood of being locally restricted, 50 percent likelihood of restriction to refugia, and 15 percent likelihood of extirpation on Federal lands. This taxon is believed to be at high risk under the Northwest Forest Plan because of its rarity and dependent mycorrhizal association with mid-elevation forest Tsuga heterophylla and Pseudotsuga menziesii.

Rhizopogon parksii was listed in the FEMAT and the ROD as Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1692 and Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1698. Further examination of these collections revealed them to be conspecific with Rhizopogon parksii. The difficulty lies in the highly variable characters of Rhizopogon parksii. The extra attention focused on Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1692 and Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1698 allowed experts to clarify the taxon concept of Rhizopogon parksii.

B. Major Habitat and Viability Considerations

The major viability consideration for Alpova alexsmithii, A. olivaceotinctus, Chamonixia caespitosa, Gastroboletus imbellus, Gastroboletus ruber, Gastroboletus subalpinus, Gastroboletus vividus, Gastrosuillus amaranthii, Gastrosuillus umbrinus, Rhizopogon brunneiniger, Rhizopogon chamaleontinus, Rhizopogon ellipsosporus, Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus, Rhizopogon exiguus, Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus, and Rhizopogon inquinatus is loss of the known populations within the range of the northern spotted owl. Considerations include all management or recreational activities that remove host trees or disturb soil or duff. The predomination of extant populations of Alpova alexsmithii, Chamonixia caespitosa, Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus, and Rhizopogon inquinatus in high recreational use areas exposes them to adverse impact due to management or recreational activities, particularly damage to host trees and disturbance of soil occupied by host tree roots. The locality of the type collection of Alpova alexsmithii is close to a road in a heavily used recreational area. Road widening could infringe on the population. Remove Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1692 and Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1698 from further consideration.

Relatively little is known about the autecology of Alpova alexsmithii, A. olivaceotinctus, Chamonixia caespitosa, Gastroboletus imbellus, Gastroboletus ruber, Gastroboletus subalpinus, Gastroboletus vividus, Gastrosuillus amaranthii, Gastrosuillus umbrinus, Rhizopogon brunneiniger, Rhizopogon chamaleontinus, Rhizopogon ellipsosporus, Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus, Rhizopogon exiguus, Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus, and Rhizopogon inquinatus. They are presumed mycorrhiza formers of a restricted group of Pinaceae species. Therefore disturbance that affects the host will potentially strongly affect these taxa. Fire is not a significant threat to Alpova alexsmithii, A. olivaceotinctus, Gastroboletus imbellus, Gastroboletus ruber, Gastroboletus subalpinus, Gastroboletus vividus, and Gastrosuillus amaranthii, Gastrosuillus umbrinus, Rhizopogon brunneiniger, Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus, and Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus because the general habitat where these taxa occur is cool and wet and not prone to fire. However, if fire were to occur, particularly a hot ground fire, it could harm populations from disturbance to soil or by damaging or killing host trees.

Fire is a potential threat to populations of Rhizopogon chamaleontinus, Rhizopogon ellipsosporus, and Rhizopogon exiguus because of their location in mid-elevational, somewhat dry forests where fire has traditionally been more common.

Climate change may result in decline in vigor of these taxa and may result in the extirpation of these taxa from the range of the northern spotted owl. Climate change could potentially impact all populations of Alpova alexsmithii, A. olivaceotinctus, Chamonixia caespitosa, Gastroboletus imbellus, Gastroboletus ruber, Gastroboletus subalpinus, Gastroboletus vividus, Gastrosuillus amaranthii, Gastrosuillus umbrinus, Rhizopogon brunneiniger, Rhizopogon chamaleontinus, Rhizopogon ellipsosporus, Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus, Rhizopogon exiguus, Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus, and Rhizopogon inquinatus. An increase in temperature or a decrease in precipitation could affect disjunct populations.

C. Threats to the Species

Threats to Alpova alexsmithii, A. olivaceotinctus, Chamonixia caespitosa, Gastroboletus imbellus, Gastroboletus ruber, Gastroboletus subalpinus, Gastroboletus vividus, Gastrosuillus amaranthii, Gastrosuillus umbrinus, Rhizopogon brunneiniger, Rhizopogon chamaleontinus, Rhizopogon ellipsosporus, Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus, Rhizopogon exiguus, Rhizopogonflavofibrillosus, and Rhizopogon inquinatus are those actions that disrupt stand conditions necessary for their survival, particularly damage to host trees and disturbance of soil occupied by host tree roots. These include logging that removes its presumed mycorrhizal host and other actions that cause disturbance to the soil, particularly road, trail, and campground construction. There are no significant large-scale threats to Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1692 and Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1698 as these taxa have been revealed to be common in the assessment area.

These taxa are not routinely harvested for use as food.

D. Distribution Relative to Land Allocations

Alpova alexsmithii is known from 2 sites that are within congressionally withdrawn land, Mt. Rainier National Park and Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area, 2 sites that are on administratively withdrawn land, Williamette National Forest and Mt. Hood National Forest, and 1 site that is on Matrix land, Williamette National Forest.

Both known sites of Alpova aurantiacus on the Williamette National Forest and the Deschutes National Forest, are on administratively withdrawn land.

The only known Federal site of Alpova olivaceotinctus is on the Tahoe National Forest outside the assessment area. All other known sites of Alpova olivaceotinctus are on non-Federal lands. The three collections from Humboldt Co., California do not have specific locations associated with them.

Chamonixia caespitosa is known from 2 sites that are in late-successional reserves: Cape Perpetua on the Siuslaw National Forest and Lost Creek on the Olympic National Forest. The site within the Cascade Head Experimental Forest on the Siuslaw National Forest and the site at Rainy Pass on the Wenatchee National Forest are administratively withdrawn. The only known site from California located in Humboldt Co., is on non-Federal land.

Gastroboletus imbellus is known from a single site from the Williamette National Forest that is located within a late-successional reserve.

Gastroboletus ruber is known from one site that is administratively withdrawn, Tillie Jane campground, Mt. Hood National Forest; 2 sites that are in late-successional reserves, English Mt., Williamette National Forest and McNeil Point trail, Mt. Hood National Forest; and 8 sites that are congressionally withdrawn, all sites within Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area and all sites within Washington on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Glacier Peak Wilderness, and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Gastroboletus subalpinus is known from 3 sites that are not on Federal land, Panther Creek area, Horse Camp, and Bear Springs; 2 sites that are matrix land, Timothy Lake, Mt. Hood National Forest, and Panther Meadow; the Cascade Pass site on the Winema National Forest is in a late-successional reserve; 3 sites are on congressionally withdrawn land, Cloud Cap, Mt. Hood National Forest; Goodbye campground, Crater Lake National Park; Haypress trail, Marble Mt. Wilderness Area.

Gastroboletus vividus is known from only 2 disjunct sites, one that is an adaptive management area, Oregon, Jackson Co., Rogue River National Forest, Jackson Gap and the other on congressionally withdrawn land, Crater Lake National Park, Cleetwood Cove.

Gastrosuillus amaranthii is known from a single site on the Lassen National Forest located outside the boundaries of the known range of the northern spotted owl.

Gastrosuillus umbrinus is known from a single site on the Klamath National Forest located on congressionally withdrawn land.

Rhizopogon brunneiniger is known from 2 sites that are not on Federal land, Benton Co. site and Inverness; one site is on matrix land, near Basket Butte, Umpqua National Forest; one site is on administratively withdrawn land, Barlow campground, Mt. Hood National Forest; one site is on congressionally withdrawn land, Deadfall Meadows, Klamath National Forest; one site is on a late-successional reserve, Limpy Rock RNA, Umpqua National Forest.

Rhizopogon chamaleontinus is known from a single site on the Siskiyou National Forest located on matrix land.

Rhizopogon ellipsosporus is known from a single site on the Siskiyou National Forest located within a late-successional reserve.

Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus is known from 5 sites that are congressionally withdrawn land, Deadfall Meadows, Klamath National Forest; Soap Creek, Deschutes National Forest; Wickiup Plains, Deschutes National Forest; Waldo Lake area, Williamette National Forest; Indian Prairie, Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Four sites are in late-successional reserves, Cascade Pass, Umpqua National Forest; The Potholes, Williamette National Forest; Sun Top Mt., Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; and Trapper Creek Wilderness Area. In addition 1 site is in a managed late-successional reserve, Peterson Prairie, Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Four sites are on administratively withdrawn land, Still Creek campground, Mt. Hood National Forest; Windigo Pass, Umpqua National Forest; Digit Point campground, Winema National Forest; Tillie Jane campground, Mt. Hood National Forest. One site is located within an adaptive management area, Juniper Peak, Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Rhizopogon exiguus is known from 1 site with unknown allocation on the Siuslaw National Forest, 1 mile south of Mapleton. The site on Mary’s Peak, Siuslaw National Forest is a late-successional reserve. The site at Waters Creek, Siskiyou National Forest is a adaptive management area. The site at Silver Springs campground on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is administratively withdrawn. The site on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest just east of Naches Pass is in a late-successional reserve.

Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus is known from 1 site that is on congressionally withdrawn land, Deadfall Meadows, Klamath National Forest. One site is in a late-successional reserve, Illinois Valley rd., Siskiyou National Forest. In addition 3 sites are on matrix land, Cultus Lake, Pistol River, Siskiyou National Forest; and Fairview, Siskiyou National Forest. The Pistol River site is a control site for experimental study and should not receive any management while the Fairview site is also part of the same long term study but will receive some stand treatment.

Rhizopogon inquinatus is known from 1 site that is on administratively withdrawn land, Tombstone Pass and 1 site is in a late-successional reserve, Longbow campground, Williamette National Forest.

III. MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

A. Management Goals for Taxon

The goal for the management of Alpova alexsmithii, A. olivaceotinctus, Chamonixia caespitosa, Gastroboletus imbellus, Gastroboletus ruber, Gastroboletus subalpinus, Gastroboletus vividus, Gastrosuillus amaranthii, Gastrosuillus umbrinus, Rhizopogon brunneiniger, Rhizopogon chamaleontinus, Rhizopogon ellipsosporus, Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus, Rhizopogon exiguus, Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus, and Rhizopogon inquinatus is to assist in maintaining viable populations of these taxa within the assessment area. Known sites of these rare taxa should be protected until sufficient information is generated to suggest management will not result in extirpation of these taxa.

There are no known sites of Alpova olivaceotinctus on Federal land so a goal for management of this taxon could be to identify likely habitat on Federal land that may support populations and protect it until sufficient surveys occur to reveal populations.

There are no known sites of Gastrosuillus amaranthii on Federal land within the assessment area so a goal for management of this taxon could be to identify likely habitat within the assessment area that may support populations and protect it until sufficient surveys occur to reveal populations.

Remove Rhizopogon parksii Smith (= Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1692 and Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 1698) from the list of taxa of special concern because of its widespread common occurrence.

B. Specific Objectives

Maintain habitat conditions at all known sites on Federal land for Alpova alexsmithii, A. olivaceotinctus, Chamonixia caespitosa, Gastroboletus imbellus, Gastroboletus ruber, Gastroboletus subalpinus, Gastroboletus vividus, Gastrosuillus amaranthii, Gastrosuillus umbrinus, Rhizopogon brunneiniger, Rhizopogon chamaleontinus, Rhizopogon ellipsosporus, Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus, Rhizopogon exiguus, Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus, and Rhizopogon inquinatus.

IV. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

A. Lessons from History

There has not been any specific management of sites for any of these taxa. Since all taxa are presumptive mycorrhiza formers, an abundance of potential hosts should be protected where fungal populations exist. When mycorrhiza host trees are damaged or removed a negative impact is usually reflected in the population of the fungal partner. Although not documented for these taxa, many fungi are harmed by air pollution, acid deposition, N deposition, and SOx (Gulden et al., 1992).

B. Identification of Habitat Areas for Management

Alpova alexsmithii is known from several areas within the range of the northern spotted owl that have good potential to be managed to maintain viability of selected populations. In particular the 2 populations on the Williamette National Forest in Oregon; the single populations on the Mt. Hood National Forest, Clackamas Co., Oregon; Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area, Jefferson Co., Oregon;and Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington should be managed to maintain population viability.

Alpova aurantiacus, Gastroboletus imbellus, Gastroboletus ruber, Gastroboletus vividus,

Gastrosuillus umbrinus, and Rhizopogon ellipsosporus are known only from within the range of the northern spotted owl. Rhizopogon chamaleontinus is only known from 1 site within the assessment area. All these populations have good potential to be managed to maintain viability. 

Alpova olivaceotinctus and Gastrosuillus amaranthii are not known from any Federal lands within the range of the northern spotted owl. 

All known sites on Federal land in Oregon of Chamonixia caespitosa have good potential to be managed to maintain viability. The only known site in California is on non-Federal land. 

Gastroboletus subalpinus is known only from within the range of the northern spotted owl. There are a number of known populations that have good potential to be managed to maintain viability. In particular the 2 populations on the Winema National Forest, Oregon; the single population on the Deschutes National Forest; Crater Lake National Park; and the populations at Cloud Cap and Clackamas Lake on the Mt. Hood National Forest; in California the population on the Marble Mt. Wilderness Area should be managed to maintain population viability. The population in Crater Lake National Park is directly across the highway from the populations on the Winema National Forest. 

Rhizopogon brunneiniger is known only from within the range of the northern spotted owl. There are a number of known populations that have good potential to be managed to maintain viability. In particular the populations on the Klamath National Forest, Mt. Hood National Forest, and Limpy Rock Research Natural Area should be managed to maintain population viability. Two populations reside on non Federal lands and thus are not under jurisdiction of the Federal government. The site west of Basket Butte is tentatively assigned as matrix land. The exact location of this population is unknown and additional survey efforts are needed to secure better geographic information before management recommendations can be made for this particular piece of property. 

Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus is known from several areas within the range of the northern spotted owl that have good potential to be managed to maintain viability of selected populations. In particular the 2 populations on the Williamette National Forest in Oregon; the 2 populations on the Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon; the 2 populations on the Umpqua National Forest, Oregon; the 2 populations on the Deschutes National Forest, Oregon; three of the four populations (excluding the Juniper Peak site) on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington; the single populations on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington, Winema National Forest, Oregon, and Klamath National Forest, California should be managed to maintain population viability.

Rhizopogon exiguus is known only from within the range of the northern spotted owl. Four of the five populations have good potential to be managed to maintain viability. In particular the populations on Mary’s Peak, at Waters Creek, Silver Springs campground, and just east of Naches Pass should be managed to maintain population viability. The exact location of the other population is unknown and additional efforts need to be made to secure better geographic information.

Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus is known from several areas within the range of the northern spotted owl that have good potential to be managed to maintain viability of selected populations. Inparticular the population on the Klamath National Forest in Oregon and the Illinois Valley rd. population should be managed to maintain population viability. The other known sites within the assessment area are on matrix land; these populations need to be managed to maintain population viability. The population at Pistol River is on land that will receive long-term experimental manipulation and is designed to be protected for two hundred years. The other population in the same long term study is due for some stand management but under these controlled conditions important information on the impacts of this management on population viability will be collected. The third population (Cultus Lake) on matrix land needs to be protected until further information can be developed to guide managers to ensure population viability.

Rhizopogon exiguus is known only from 2 sites within the range of the northern spotted owl. Both populations have good potential to be managed to maintain viability. The exact locations of the both populations are unknown and additional efforts need to be made to secure specific information. 

The seemingly preferred habitat of these taxa is also somewhat under-collected by mycologists and in critical need of survey. New populations may be found with additional surveys. 

C. Management Within Habitat Areas 

Status of specific management activities is unknown for extant sites. However, at and around known sites, it is recommended that current habitat conditions and micro-climatic conditions be maintained, impacts from soil disturbing activities minimized, and damage or removal of host trees prevented. 

The few known locations on Federal land of Alpova alexsmithii, Chamonixia caespitosa, Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus, and Rhizopogon inquinatus, the single known locations of Gastroboletus imbellus, Rhizopogon chamaleontinus, and Rhizopogon ellipsosporus, the 2 known locations of Gastroboletus vividus and Rhizopogon exiguus, and the 4 populations on nonmatrix Federal land of Rhizopogon brunneiniger should be managed to include an area that is large enough to maintain the habitat and associated micro-climate of the population. The Regional mycologist is available to consult with field staff and managers on the size of the appropriate area for management.

• Maintain dominance of specific host tree associates as outlined in section 1D, which are necessary for mycorrhizal association.
• Minimize loss, disruption, or compaction of soil particularly from management, road, trail, and campground construction or recreational activities.
• Manage tree diseases in the area to minimize loss of host trees. 

D. Other Management Issues and Considerations

No additional management issues or considerations are identified at this time.

V. RESEARCH, INVENTORY, AND MONITORING NEEDS 

A. Data Gaps and Information Needs 

Revisit known sites of all taxa except Rhizopogon parksii and collect ecological data to more completely characterize habitat. Conduct surveys to locate additional populations of Alpovaalexsmithii, A. olivaceotinctus, Chamonixia caespitosa, Gastroboletus imbellus, Gastroboletus ruber, Gastroboletus subalpinus, Gastroboletus vividus, Gastrosuillus amaranthii, Gastrosuillus umbrinus, Rhizopogon brunneiniger, Rhizopogon chamaleontinus, Rhizopogon ellipsosporus, Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus, Rhizopogon exiguus, Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus, and Rhizopogon inquinatus particularly in late-successional reserves, Research Natural Areas, and when appropriate where management treatments or projects are scheduled or proposed. 

Data are lacking regarding the specific response of these taxa to management practices such as logging, road, trail, and campground construction, prescribed fire, and collection of secondary forest products. Also needed are information on each fungus taxon concerning the area required to support viable populations, population age structure, dispersal requirements, and maximum distance over which populations can interact. Exact host tree associations for each fungus taxon need documentation. 

B. Research Questions 

• What is the ecological amplitude of Alpova alexsmithii, particularly is it restricted to association with Tsuga mertensiana and T. heterophylla?
• What is the ecological amplitude of Alpova aurantiacus, particularly is it restricted to association with Abies lasiocarpa and Pseudotsuga menziesii?
• What is the ecological amplitude of Chamonixia caespitosa, particularly is it restricted to association with Abies amabilis, Picea sitchensis, Pseudotsuga menziesii and Tsuga heterophylla?
• What is the ecological amplitude of Gastroboletus imbellus, Gastroboletus ruber, and Gastroboletus vividus, particularly are they restricted to association with Abies spp. or Tsuga mertensiana? 
• What is the ecological amplitude of Gastroboletus subalpinus and G. ruber, particularly are they restricted to association with Pinus contorta, P. albicaulis, Tsuga mertensiana and Abies spp.? 
• What is the ecological amplitude of Rhizopogon chamaleontinus and Rhizopogon ellipsosporus particularly are they restricted to association with Pseudotsuga menziesii or Pinus lambertiana? 
• What is the ecological amplitude of Rhizopogon brunneiniger and Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus, particularly is it general in its association with various Pinaceae? 
• What is the ecological amplitude of Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus, particularly is it restricted to association with Tsuga mertensiana or Abies spp.?  
• What is the ecological amplitude of Rhizopogon exiguus and Rhizopogon inquinatus, particularly are they restricted to association with Tsuga heterophylla or Pseudotsuga menziesii? 
• How do all taxa respond to manipulation or modification of the micro-climate? 
• What is the density of tree hosts needed to sustain viability of the populations of all taxa?
• What is the range of suitable microclimate conditions, particularly humidity, soil moisture, and soil temperature for these taxa?
• What is the relationship of stand age to population viability for all taxa?

C. Monitoring Needs and Recommendations

Known sites on Federal land of all taxa should be revisited periodically to assess compliance with management guidelines and evaluate impacts. 

VI. REFERENCES 

Ammirati, J. 1994. Endangered, threatened and sensitive macrofungi of Washington State. Official Letter to C. Turley, Science team leader, Washington State Dept. of Natural resources. Dated March 26, 1994. 

Cázares, E., and J.M. Trappe. 1991. Alpine and subalpine fungi of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. Gastroboletus ruber comb. nov. Mycotaxon 42:339-345. 

Gulden, G., K. Hoiland, K. Bendiksen, T.E. Brandrud, B.S. Foss, H.B. Jenssen, and D. Laber. 1992. Macromycetes and Air Pollution: Mycocoenological studies in three oligotrophic spruce forests in Europe. Bibliotheca Mycologica 144: 1-81.

Rolland, L. 1899. Excursion à Chamonix - été et automne 1898. Bull. Soc. Mycol. France 15:73-78.

Smith, A.H. 1968. Further studies on Rhizopogon. I. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 84: 276.

Smith, A.H., and S.M. Zeller. 1966. A preliminary account of the North American species of Rhizopogon. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 14:1-177.

Thiers, H.D. 1989. Gastroboletus revisited. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 49:355-359.

Thiers, H.D., and Trappe, J.M. 1969. Studies in the genus Gastroboletus. Brittonia 21:249-251.

Trappe, J.M. 1975. A revision of the genus Alpova with notes on Rhizopogon and the Melanogastraceae. Nova Hedwigia Beih. 51:279-309.

USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management. 1994. Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl, and Attachments. Washington D.C.

Zeller, S.M. 1939. New and noteworthy Gasteromycetes. Mycologia 31:1-32.