Scarlet Waxcrust
EN

Scarlet Waxcrust

Phlebia coccineofulva

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Scarlet Waxcrust faces severe decline due to the loss of old-growth forest habitats containing the large-diameter dead wood it requires for fruiting. Commercial logging and forest management practices that remove fallen logs and standing dead trees eliminate essential substrate for this specialized saprotrophic fungus. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering moisture regimes and forest composition, potentially reducing the availability of suitable microhabitats.

Threat summary

Habitat

This saprotrophic fungus inhabits mature and old-growth coniferous and mixed forests, forming distinctive scarlet-red crusts on the undersides of fallen logs and dead wood. It requires specific moisture conditions and substrate chemistry found in undisturbed forest ecosystems with abundant coarse woody debris.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Meruliaceae

Northern ToothVU

Northern Tooth

Climacodon septentrionalis

Unknown
Phlebia serialisVU

Phlebia serialis

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VU

gele stekelkorstzwam

Mycoacia uda

Unknown
VU

stor vaxtagging

Mycoaciella bispora

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Scarlet Waxcrust classified as Endangered?
Scarlet Waxcrust is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Scarlet Waxcrust faces severe decline due to the loss of old-growth forest habitats containing the large-diameter dead wood it requires for fruiting. Commercial logging and forest management practices that remove fallen logs and standing dead trees eliminate essential substrate for this specialized saprotrophic fungus. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering moisture regimes and forest composition, potentially reducing the availability of suitable microhabitats.
Where does Scarlet Waxcrust live?
Scarlet Waxcrust 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 Scarlet Waxcrust?
The main threats to Scarlet Waxcrust 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.

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