Braunscheibiger Schneckling
Hygrophorus discoideus
The Braunscheibiger Schneckling (Hygrophorus discoideus) is a distinctive waxcap mushroom characterized by its brown-disc cap and waxy, widely-spaced gills. This mycorrhizal fungus forms essential symbiotic relationships with coniferous trees, particularly spruce and fir, facilitating nutrient exchange in forest ecosystems.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Douglas Smith, all rights reserved, uploaded by Douglas Smith
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Agaricales
Family
Hygrophoraceae
Genus
Hygrophorus
Braunscheibiger Schneckling belongs to the family Hygrophoraceae, order Agaricales, within the Agaricomycetes class.
Species Profile
The Braunscheibiger Schneckling (Hygrophorus discoideus) is a distinctive waxcap mushroom characterized by its brown-disc cap and waxy, widely-spaced gills. This mycorrhizal fungus forms essential symbiotic relationships with coniferous trees, particularly spruce and fir, facilitating nutrient exchange in forest ecosystems. As a decomposer and mycorrhizal partner, it plays a crucial role in maintaining soil health and forest productivity.
Hygrophorus discoideus, the Braunscheibiger Schneckling, faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized forest ecosystems. Climate change is altering the moisture and temperature conditions essential for this fungal species' survival and reproduction. Agricultural intensification and urbanization continue to fragment and destroy the old-growth forest habitats where this species occurs.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Hygrophorus discoideus inhabits mature coniferous forests, particularly those dominated by Norway spruce and silver fir, where it grows among moss-covered forest floors with consistent moisture levels. The species requires undisturbed, old-growth forest conditions with deep organic soil layers and stable microclimate conditions.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Hygrophorus discoideus, the Braunscheibiger Schneckling, faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized forest ecosystems. Climate change is altering the moisture and temperature conditions essential for this fungal species' survival and reproduction. Agricultural intensification and urbanization continue to fragment and destroy the old-growth forest habitats where this species occurs.
Climate change impacts on forest ecosystems
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Agricultural intensification
Air pollution and nitrogen deposition
Changes in forest management practices
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). Braunscheibiger Schneckling (Hygrophorus discoideus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/braunscheibiger-schneckling