Gymnopilus punctifolius was described as Cortinarius punctifolius (Peck 1903) from a Type collection made in Idaho, USA.

Transferred into the genus Gymnopilus (Singer 1949) where is resides today.

Flammula punctifolius (Peck) A.H. Sm. is a synonym.

Eastern North American reports (Bessette et al. 1995, Mycoportal 2021) appear to come from confusion with the similar named Gymnopilus pulchrifolius.

Gymnopilus punctifolius is a widespread species in western North America, growing from large woody debris.

Currently known from over 200 locations, with a preference for, but not limited to, mature and old growth forests.

Based on the number of populations, over a widespread area I recommend listing as Least Concern (LC).

Known from Santa Cruz County California north coastally into southeast Alaska, the Siskiyou Range in northern California, becoming widespread through the Pacific Northwest, east into the Rocky Mountains, south to Arizona and New Mexico. There is a single report from Mexico (iNaturalist 2021) which looks very similar macroscopically; until more taxonomic work is done on this collection, it is not considered in this assessment.

Population is very widespread across western North America from coastal to montane forests. It appears to be a generalist large conifer woody debris decayer. It appears to be more common in mature and old growth forests, but is not limited to these areas. 

Currently known from ~200 locations (Mycoportal 2021). It has a cryptic growth habit (often along the underside of logs, or in stump cavities), and drab colors; these factors probably have limited the number of records. Data to fully assess trends is lacking, but based on the number of recent records, it appears stable.

Saprophyte; typically on large woody debris, and often fruiting along the underside of logs, or in stump cavities. It appears to be more common in mature and old growth forests, but is not limited to these areas.

This species appears to need large woody debris, and is far more common in undisturbed ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. Repeated clear cutting or logging and removal of debris and stand replacing fires, and subsequent removal of snags are detrimental to this species.

This species is included on the United States Forest Service Northwest Forest Plan Survey and Manage list of rare/old growth forests dependent fungi, and has been actively surveyed for since the late 1990’s. (Castellano et al. 1999).

Stop logging old growth forests and limit clear cutting practices.

Modern taxonomic work on Gymnopilus, especially with outlying collections. Long term viability of this species in 2nd and 3rd growth forests.

None known.

Bessette, A., Miller, O.K. Jr, Bessette, A.R. and Miller, H.R. 1995. Mushrooms of North America in Color: A Field Guide Companion to Seldom-Illustrated Fungi. Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press.

Castellano, M.A., Smith, J.E., O’Dell, T., Cázares, E. and Nugent, S. 1999. Handbook to Strategy 1 Fungal Species in the Northwest Forest Plan. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: Portland, OR. 195 p.

iNaturalist. 2021. Available at http://www.inaturalist.org

MyCoPortal. 2021. http://mycoportal.org/portal/index.php. Accessed on February 19.

Peck, C.H. 1903. New species of fungi. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 30 (2): 95–101.

Siegel, N. and Schwarz, C. 2016. Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fungi of Coastal Northern California. Ten Speed Press, Emeryville, CA. 603 p.

Singer, R. 1949. The Agaricales (Mushrooms) in Modern Taxonomy. Lilloa 22: 1-832.