Larch Spike
Gomphidius maculatus
Gomphidius maculatus, commonly known as the larch slime spike, is a species of mushroom in the family Gomphidiaceae. It is widely distributed in Europe and North America, where it forms mycorrhizal associations with larch trees.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomphidius_maculatus
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Boletales
Family
Gomphidiaceae
Genus
Gomphidius
Larch Spike belongs to the family Gomphidiaceae, order Boletales, within the Agaricomycetes class.
Species Profile
Gomphidius maculatus, commonly known as the larch slime spike, is a species of mushroom in the family Gomphidiaceae. It is widely distributed in Europe and North America, where it forms mycorrhizal associations with larch trees. It is an introduced species in New Zealand. While not known to be poisonous, it is slimy and could potentially accumulate heavy metals.
Gomphidius maculatus, the Larch Spike mushroom, faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from deforestation and forest fragmentation in its native coniferous forest ecosystems. Climate change is altering the delicate mycorrhizal relationships this species depends on with larch trees, while air pollution and acid rain are degrading the soil chemistry essential for its survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Gomphidius maculatus has a wide distribution in the northern hemisphere, where it forms mycorrhizal associations with larch trees. It has also been introduced to new Zealand.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Gomphidius maculatus, the Larch Spike mushroom, faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from deforestation and forest fragmentation in its native coniferous forest ecosystems. Climate change is altering the delicate mycorrhizal relationships this species depends on with larch trees, while air pollution and acid rain are degrading the soil chemistry essential for its survival.
Climate change impacts on mycorrhizal relationships
Habitat loss and forest fragmentation
Air pollution and acid rain
Intensive forestry practices
Soil degradation
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 Spike (Gomphidius maculatus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/larch-spike