Gomphidius pseudoflavipes is a rare “Slime Spike”, known only from the type collection, made in mixed pine-true fir woods in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, USA. Recognized by its orange-brown cap with radially arranged dark brown fibrils, slightly decurrent, well-spaced gills, bright yellow flesh in the stipe base and giant spores, up to 40 μm long. It fruits in association with (possibly parasitic on) a “Gastrosuillus”  species, (which in turn is mycorrhizal, likely with Pinus) in high elevation forests of the southern Sierra Nevada (Siegel et al. 2019).

Since this species is only known from a single collection, no genetic analysis has been done, and very little information is available regarding habitat and ecology, I recommend listing it as Data Deficient (DD).

Described from a single collection made in 1999, comprising of four fruitbodies (Miller et al. 2002). Very little is known about the morphological variation or habitat associations of this species. Additional collections should be examined, and range of variation should be evaluated.

Gomphidius pseudoflavipes is a rare “Slime Spike”, known only from the type collection, made in mixed pine-true fir woods in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, USA. Recognized by its orange-brown cap with radially arranged dark brown fibrils, slightly decurrent, well-spaced gills, bright yellow flesh in the stipe base and giant spores, up to 40 μm long. It fruits in association with (possibly parasitic on) a “Gastrosuillus”  species, (which in turn is mycorrhizal, likely with Pinus) in high elevation forests of the southern Sierra Nevada (Siegel et al. 2019).

Currently known from a single high-elevation site in the southern Sierra Nevada of California. Additional populations should be surveyed for in similar high elevation forests in the Sierra Nevada.

Populations trends are unknown. Nothing about the population trend can reasonably be inferred from the single collection (with limited habitat notes) made in 1999. It has not been recollected since, but we are not aware of anybody revisiting the location looking for it.

Solitary or scattered in duff and soil under pine (Pinus spp.) and fir (Abies spp.). Gomphidius species in general are associated with Suillus and Rhizopogon, likely as myco-parasites of those taxa. G. pseudoflavipes was found in close proximity of an unspecified “Gastrosuillus” species. The single collection known was made during summer (early August), but it seems likely that this species could fruit from spring into fall (Siegel et al. 2019)

More collections need to be made in order to better understand the conservation status and population trends of this species. When this species is encountered, collections with detailed habitat notes should be made. Overall the habitat has suffered prolonged droughts and decades of fire suppression, which have drastically altered the high sierra forest, leading to thicker, denser, Abies dominated forest. As a result, hotter, stand replacing fires (rather than patchwork and understory burns) are commonplace, altering appropriate habitat drastically, and making it ill-suited for this species.

Protect known sites from management activities, including logging, fuels reduction, or other development and disturbance. Add to USFS sensitive species list. Targeted surveys for this species. A better understanding of habitat associations for this species.

Targeted surveys for this species. A better understanding of habitat associations for this species.

None known.

Miller, O.K., Aime, M.C., Camacho,  F.J. and Peintner, U. 2002. Two new species of Gomphidius from the Western United States and Eastern Siberia Mycologia 94: 1044–1050.

Siegel, N., Vellinga, E.C., Schwarz, C., Castellano, M.A. and Ikeda, D. 2019. A Field Guide to the Rare Fungi of California’s National Forests. Bookmobile: Minneapolis, MN. 313 p.