Hygrocybe collucera - 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 collucera

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 20 Dec 2002

Profile last updated: 13 Nov 2024

Description

A small brightly coloured red gilled fungus. Cap 8 - 20 mm scarlet red, cone shaped to broadly convex, at first distinctly sticky then smooth dry, smooth but very fine silky fibres at the centre to slightly velvety at the margins; margins ridged, yellow and even to scalloped forming round teeth. Gills deeply formed down stem, brilliant yellow but may show orange tints, margins even and the same colour, veins present on cap undersurface and on open face of gills. Stem 30 - 50 mm x 5 - 3.5 mm brilliant scarlet but yellowish towards base, cylindrical, dry, smooth or with fine silky fibres.

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, Royal National Park Wolli Creek and the Blue Mountains (Blackheath, Blaxland, Hazelbrook, Mt Wilson, Lawson).

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 collucera (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