Larch Knight
Tricholoma psammopus
The Larch Knight (Tricholoma psammopus) is a distinctive mycorrhizal fungus that forms symbiotic relationships exclusively with larch trees. This medium-sized mushroom features a sandy-brown to grayish cap with a characteristic scaly surface and pale gills, typically fruiting in late autumn.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Agaricales
Family
Tricholomataceae
Genus
Tricholoma
Larch Knight belongs to the family Tricholomataceae, order Agaricales, within the Agaricomycetes class.
Species Profile
The Larch Knight (Tricholoma psammopus) is a distinctive mycorrhizal fungus that forms symbiotic relationships exclusively with larch trees. This medium-sized mushroom features a sandy-brown to grayish cap with a characteristic scaly surface and pale gills, typically fruiting in late autumn. As a mycorrhizal partner, it plays a crucial role in nutrient exchange with larch forests, enhancing tree health and forest ecosystem stability.
The Larch Knight (Tricholoma psammopus) faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from deforestation and land conversion in its limited range. Climate change poses additional pressure by altering the specific environmental conditions required for this mycorrhizal fungus to form associations with its host trees. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions from human activities.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Larch Knight occurs in mature larch and mixed coniferous forests with well-drained, slightly alkaline soils rich in organic matter. The species shows strong preference for old-growth stands with established larch trees aged 40+ years, particularly in montane and subalpine zones where soil pH ranges between 6.5-7.5.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Larch Knight (Tricholoma psammopus) faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from deforestation and land conversion in its limited range. Climate change poses additional pressure by altering the specific environmental conditions required for this mycorrhizal fungus to form associations with its host trees. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions from human activities.
Climate change altering host tree relationships
Habitat loss and deforestation
Land use conversion for agriculture and development
Limited geographic range increasing extinction risk
Disruption of mycorrhizal networks
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). Larch Knight (Tricholoma psammopus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/larch-knight