Ebony Woodwax
Hygrophorus latitabundus
Hygrophorus latitabundus is a species of fungus in the genus Hygrophorus. It is distributed in European pine forests, and has a preference for calcareous soils.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygrophorus_latitabundus
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Agaricales
Family
Hygrophoraceae
Genus
Hygrophorus
Ebony Woodwax belongs to the family Hygrophoraceae, order Agaricales, within the Agaricomycetes class.
Species Profile
Hygrophorus latitabundus is a species of fungus in the genus Hygrophorus. It is distributed in European pine forests, and has a preference for calcareous soils. It fruits in autumn, producing large, edible mushrooms with slimy caps and stems.
The Ebony Woodwax faces significant threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and forest degradation, which reduces the availability of suitable host trees essential for its mycorrhizal relationships. Climate change poses additional risks by altering forest composition and moisture regimes that this species depends on for fruiting and survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits mature coniferous and mixed forests, particularly those dominated by spruce, fir, and pine species, where it forms mycorrhizal associations with tree roots. Typically found in moist, well-drained forest soils at elevations ranging from lowland to montane zones.
Threats
Deforestation and logging
Forest fragmentation
Climate change impacts on forest ecosystems
Soil disturbance and compaction
Air pollution affecting forest health
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). Ebony Woodwax (Hygrophorus latitabundus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/ebony-woodwax