Gold Flecked Woodwax
VU

Gold Flecked Woodwax

Hygrophorus chrysodon

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygrophorus_chrysodon

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Gold Flecked Woodwax faces significant pressure from habitat degradation as old-growth coniferous forests are cleared for timber harvesting and urban development. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions required for this mycorrhizal species to form essential partnerships with host trees. The species' specialized ecological requirements and limited dispersal ability make it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation, which isolates populations and reduces genetic diversity.

Threat summary

Habitat

This mycorrhizal fungus forms symbiotic relationships with coniferous trees, particularly spruce and fir species, in mature montane and boreal forests. It requires specific soil chemistry and moisture conditions found in undisturbed forest ecosystems with well-developed organic layers.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Hygrophoraceae

Viol-vokshatCR

Viol-vokshat

Chromosera viola

Unknown
Arctic Mushroom Scales LichenCR

Arctic Mushroom Scales Lichen

Lichenomphalia hudsoniana

Unknown
Dune WaxcapEN

Dune Waxcap

Hygrocybe conicoides

Unknown
Stielloser AdermooslingVU

Stielloser Adermoosling

Arrhenia lobata

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Gold Flecked Woodwax classified as Vulnerable?
Gold Flecked Woodwax is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Gold Flecked Woodwax faces significant pressure from habitat degradation as old-growth coniferous forests are cleared for timber harvesting and urban development. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions required for this mycorrhizal species to form essential partnerships with host trees. The species' specialized ecological requirements and limited dispersal ability make it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation, which isolates populations and reduces genetic diversity.
Where does Gold Flecked Woodwax live?
Gold Flecked Woodwax occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Gold Flecked Woodwax?
The main threats to Gold Flecked Woodwax are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.