Hygrocybe lanecovensis - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Hygrocybe lanecovensis

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 06 Sep 2002

Profile last updated: 13 Nov 2024

Description

A small brightly coloured gilled fungus. Cap 10 - 23 mm, brilliant scarlet, convex, very sticky but soon becoming almost dry and only faintly sticky at maturity, smooth, margins scalloped forming rounded teeth and very finely edged with yellow. Gills pure white at first and remaining so until at least half matured, then faintly yellow tinted especially when old, deeply forming down stem, margins even and of same colour. Stem 25 - 50 mm x 2 - 5 mm, brilliant scarlet, very sticky and tending to remain very sticky until about half matured and then becoming sticky at most, smooth, cylindrical or tapered downwards, central cylinder (pith) filled.

Distribution

Originally know from type locality at Lane Cove Bushland Park, Lane Cove however may also occur elsewhere in the region. Other possible locations include Chatswood and Royal National Park.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs in gallery warm temperate forests dominated by Lilly Pilly (Acmena smithii), Grey Myrtle (Backhousia myrtifolia), Cheese Tree (Glochidion ferdinandi) and Sweet Pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum).
Associated with alluvial sandy soils of the Hawkesbury Soil Landscapes with naturally low fertility and erodible.
Occur as individuals or in groups, terrestrial rarely on wood and only if extremely rotten; substrates include soil, humus, or moss.
Does not produce above ground fruiting bodies (fungus) all year round. Fruiting bodies begin appearing mid May to mid July sometimes to August.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Sydney Basin

Threats

Damage or loss due to changes in water quality and volume, particularly industrial pollutants and domestic contaminants.
Damage and loss of habitat due to weed encroachment and inappropriate bush regeneration measures that disturb the forest canopy and native understorey plants.
Damage and loss of habitat due to encroachment of access tracks into unstable and sensitive areas.
Lack of understanding of habitat requirements, ecological processes and associations between fungi, their habitat and other species.
Inappropriate fire regime.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Water quality control, particularly within the Gore Creek catchment above Lane Cove Bushland Park.
Remove weeds, rubbish and garden refuse.
Control pedestrian access.
Restore degraded habitat using appropriate bush regeneration techniques.

Information sources

NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Hygrocybe lanecovensis (an agaric fungus) -Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
Young, A.M. (1999) The Hygrocybeae (Fungi, Basidiomycota, Agaricales, Hygrophoraceae) of the Lane Cove Bushland Park, New South Wales. Austrobaileya 5(3): 535-564