Ectomycorrhizal species strictly associated with Alnus spp. (A. glutinosa, A. incana, A. alnobetula), in riparian forests and swampy places, localities scattered and endangered by degradation of habitat (pollution by nitrogen, destruction of riparian forests…).

The species is reported from Europe and Russian Federation. In Europe, it is reported from several countries, mostly from the Boreal*, Central-European**, and Alpine*** domains. In the Russian Federation it has been found in western Siberia and the western Caucasus.

** South the Boreal zone, below Sweden and Norway
***Pyrenees, Alps, Carpathians, French Voges and Massif Central, and the Balkan mountains.

By 2015, the number of known sites in Europe was estimated at about 100. In Asia, in the Russian Federation, it is apparently very rare (reported just once in Western Siberia) and protected by law in Krasnodar territory and Karachai-Cherkess Republic of Russia (western Caucasus; Kiyashko, personal communication).

The species is RedListed in Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden (NT), Switzerland, and UK.

Amanita friabilis is ectomycorrhizal exclusively with Alnus (A. glutinosa, A. incana, A. alnobetula) in forests, groves and bushes in wet to temporarily flooded biotopes.

The species occurs mainly in the following NATURA 2000 forest habitats:
9080 - Fennoscandian deciduous swamp woods
91E0 - Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior

Regression of a specific habitat (mainly Alnus glutinosa in regularly flooded areas); sensitive to nitrogen.

Preserve stable riparian areas and favourable species-rich alder stands in wetlands.

Romagnesi H. (1992) Bull. Soc. Mycol. France 108(2) : 78
Corriol G. (1999) Bull. Soc. Mycol. France 115(2) : 205