Black Pinkgill
Entoloma aethiops
The Black Pinkgill (Entoloma aethiops) is a distinctive mushroom species characterized by its dark cap and pink-tinged gills that develop as spores mature. This saprobic fungus plays a crucial ecological role in decomposing organic matter in forest ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling and soil health.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Agaricales
Family
Entolomataceae
Genus
Entoloma
Black Pinkgill belongs to the family Entolomataceae, order Agaricales, within the Agaricomycetes class.
Species Profile
The Black Pinkgill (Entoloma aethiops) is a distinctive mushroom species characterized by its dark cap and pink-tinged gills that develop as spores mature. This saprobic fungus plays a crucial ecological role in decomposing organic matter in forest ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling and soil health.
Black Pinkgill faces significant threats from habitat degradation and loss of suitable woodland environments due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban development. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the specific moisture and temperature conditions required for this fungal species to fruit and complete its life cycle. The species' dependence on particular soil chemistry and mycorrhizal relationships makes it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Black Pinkgill occurs in deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly favoring areas with rich, calcareous soils and established leaf litter layers. The species is typically found in mature forest environments with stable moisture conditions and well-developed soil fungal networks.
Threats
Climate change impacts on fruiting conditions
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Agricultural intensification
Disruption of mycorrhizal associations
Soil degradation and chemical pollution
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Black Pinkgill (Entoloma aethiops). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/black-pinkgill