Leucopaxillus tricolor
Local name: brödmusseron
Leucopaxillus tricolor, known as brödmusseron, is a distinctive mushroom species characterized by its tricolored cap displaying bands of brown, cream, and white coloration. This saprotrophic fungus plays a crucial role in forest ecosystems by decomposing organic matter and recycling nutrients back into the soil.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Joseba, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joseba
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Agaricales
Family
Tricholomataceae
Genus
Leucopaxillus
Leucopaxillus tricolor belongs to the family Tricholomataceae, order Agaricales, within the Agaricomycetes class.
Species Profile
Leucopaxillus tricolor, known as brödmusseron, is a distinctive mushroom species characterized by its tricolored cap displaying bands of brown, cream, and white coloration. This saprotrophic fungus plays a crucial role in forest ecosystems by decomposing organic matter and recycling nutrients back into the soil. The species typically produces large, robust fruiting bodies with thick stems and broad caps that can reach considerable size.
Leucopaxillus tricolor faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized grassland and woodland edge environments. The species appears to be highly sensitive to changes in land use practices, particularly agricultural intensification and urbanization that fragment or eliminate its preferred habitats.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Brödmusseron occurs in mature deciduous and mixed forests, particularly favoring areas with rich leaf litter and decaying hardwood debris. The species shows strong preference for calcareous soils in undisturbed woodland areas with stable microclimatic conditions.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Leucopaxillus tricolor faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized grassland and woodland edge environments. The species appears to be highly sensitive to changes in land use practices, particularly agricultural intensification and urbanization that fragment or eliminate its preferred habitats.
Agricultural intensification
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Small population size and genetic bottlenecks
Changes in land management practices
Climate change impacts on habitat suitability
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). Leucopaxillus tricolor (Leucopaxillus tricolor). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/brodmusseron