SPECIES FACT SHEET Scientific Name: Gymnomyces fragrans (A.H. Sm.) Trappe, T. Lebel & Castellano Order: Russulales Family: Russulaceae Conservation Rankings and Status: Global: G2G3 State: OR S1S3; WA Not ranked Oregon Biodiversity Information Center (ORBIC) List 1 (Ranks from ORBIC, http://orbic.pdx.edu accessed August 16, 2013) Type Locality: Idaho, Valley County, Brundage Mountain near McCall, Idaho by Smith 1963 as Martellia fragrans. Studies of the genera of sequestrate russuloid fungi by Lebel and Trappe led to amended generic descriptions of Gymnomyces and elimination of the genus Martellia (Trappe et al., 2002). Technical Description: Sporocarp 1-4.5 cm broad, globose or nearly so, surface glabrous and usually with much dirt adhering, pallid to pale cinnamon brown; Gleba loculate, white to off-white, browning with age; Odor vanilla-like; Peridial epicutus of dermatocystidia 18-27 x 4-8 microns, bluntly fusoid and many brown to ochraceous in KOH, the layer almost obliterated in age. Peridial subcutus ochraceous to rusty brown in KOH, of interwoven filaments; Spores globose to subglobose, 8-11 x 7.5-10 microns, amyloid, wall slightly thickened, ornamentation as separate spines and rods 0.7-1.5 microns high, some fused into small groups or lines. This Gymnomyces is characterized by the brown gleba, medium-sized spores with rods and spines that are somewhat connected and the turf of dermatocystidia. Life History: This taxon is hypogeous (grows underground) and a presumed ectomycorrhizal former. Sporocarps are formed below the soil surface and are associated with mountain hemlock or Douglas fir. Fruits June-November. It depends on mycophagy (consumption by animals) for spore dispersal. Range, Distribution, and Abundance: Known from California, Idaho, and Oregon. In Oregon, the species is very rare, with only three known populations. Oregon: Lane Co., Lamb Butte Scenic Area, Ollallie Trail, Willamette National Forest; Jackson Co. , 1.4 km ease of Dutchman’s Peak, Rogue-Siskiyou NF. 1 California: Humboldt Co., Big Hill, Hoopa Indian Reservation. Plumas County. FS/BLM lands in Oregon and Washington: Documented from the Willamette and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests. Habitat Associations: Populations have been located in the Pacific silver fir, mountain hemlock and Shasta red fir plant associations. Populations range from 4803-6853 feet in elevation and are found on east-facing (2 sites) and west-facing (1 site) slopes. Threats: Because the species is mycorrhizal any adverse impact to host trees or actions that would disturb the soil and duff in the vicinity of fruiting bodies could have an adverse effect on the species. Fire could be a potential harmful agent to Cystangium idahoensis because the plant associations in which it is found are subject to infrequent but stand-replacing wildfires. Conservation Considerations: Buffer known populations from management activities that include tree removal and soil compaction or disturbance. Consider buffering populations from prescribed burns. Other pertinent information (includes references to Survey Protocols, etc): The survey protocol for sensitive fungi is located on the ISSSSP website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/sfpnw/issssp/documents/inventories/inv-sp-fuver1-2008-12.pdf. The survey protocol for Survey and Manage fungi is located on the Survey and Manage website: http://www.blm.gov/or/plans/surveyandmanage/protocols/ David Aurora does not include this species in Mushrooms Demystified, although he treats other Gymnomyces species in the MARTELLIA & Allies section on p. 742. Prepared by: Jenny Lippert, Willamette NF Date: March, 2013 Edited by: Rob Huff, BLM/FS Portland, Oregon Date: January, 2014 ATTACHMENTS: (1) References (2) Map of Species Distribution Note: There are no photos available for this species. 2 ATTACHMENT 1: References Castellano, M.A., J.E. Smith, T. O’Dell, E Cazares and S. Nugent. 1999. Handbook to the Strategy 1 Fungal Species in the Northwest Forest Plan, GTR476. USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station, Corvallis. Castellano, M.A and T. O’Dell. 1997. Management Recommendations for survey and manage fungi. Version 2.0. Group 3: 1-20. Smith, A.H. 1963. New astrogastraceous fungi from the Pacific Northwest. Mycologia 55:421-441. Trappe, James M., Teresa Lebel & Michael A. Castellano. 2002. Nomenclatural revisions in the sequestrate russuloid genera. Mycotaxon 81: 195-214. 3 ATTACHMENT 2: Map Species Distribution in OR/WA 4