Hygrocybe austropratensis - 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 austropratensis

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 fungus. Cap 14 - 30 mm orange to light orange brown, convex or irregularly convex expanding to convex on one side and flat on the other to irregular; dry; at first coated with white, furry layer, lost as cap matures, margins rolled under and may be slighted ridged with whitish fragments similar to cap surface. Gills forming down the stem and sometimes forking at join with cap, no veins on cap undersurface, pale orange buff and margins the same and even. Stem 20 - 45 mm x 4 -7 mm, very pale creamy brown, solid, dry, cylindrical but often bulbous at base, smooth or coated with white furry layer which disappears with age.

Distribution

Known from type locality,Lane Cove Bushland Park, Lane Cove and other locations in the Sydney region including Royal National Park, Chatswood, Wolli Creek, Northbridge, Marsfield and the Blue Mountains (Mount Wilson, Hazelbrook, Blaxland, Blackheath, Springwood).

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 austropratensis (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