Fevansia aurantiaca

Fevansia aurantiaca was first described in 2000 (Trappe and Castellano 2000), in 2013 it was determined to be related to Albatrellaceae, in Russulales (Smith et al. 2013).

Fevansia aurantiaca is endemic to North America, it occurs in the western United States, and has been found in the Cascade Mountain Range of Oregon, northern California, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and at one location in the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho. There are estimated to be between six and 20 occurrences, including in Oregon on the Deschutes, Mount Hood, Umpqua, and Willamette National Forests (including within some Wilderness Areas) and in Crater Lake National Park. Threats include habitat fragmentation and loss associated with development associated with recreation and tourism, logging, high intensity wildfire, and the long term effects of climate change on the mountain forests where it grows.

Fevansia aurantiaca is endemic to North America, it occurs in the western United States, and has been found in the Cascade Mountain Range of Oregon, northern California, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and at one location in the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho. Range extent (including the Colorado and Idaho locations) was estimated to be 400,000 square kilometers, using herbarium specimens, literature and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1991 and 2023 (Castellano 2015, Castellano et al. 1999, GBIF 2023, iNaturalist 2023, MyCoPortal 2023, NatureServe 2023, Smith et al. 2013).

Truffles have been studied in western North America for over a hundred years, but this rare species was first described in 2000, based on a few collections made in Oregon. The small number of sites known indicate that more information is needed before its status can be determined with confidence. Some sites are within the range of the northern spotted owl (Castellano et al. 1999, Trappe and Castellano 2000). Based on NatureServe Network occurrence data, herbarium records, and locations reported in the scientific literature which were documented between 1991 and 2023, there are about 13, and between six and 20 occurrences rangewide (Castellano 2015, GBIF 2023, iNaturalist 2023, MyCoPortal 2023, NatureServe 2023).

Fevansia aurantiaca is a mycorrhizal fungus, it is dependent on living host trees for the viability of its populations. Most sites are in mature and old growth montane conifer forests, and habitat fragmentation and loss associated with fire and logging are major threats. Mature and old-growth montane conifer forests have been routinely harvested for wood products, which has led to some forest fragmentation, this impedes the dispersal (by small mammals) and gene flow of forest fungi. The montane conifer forests where it occurs may be subject to intense forest fires (started by people or by dry lightening storms in dry summer months), and to disturbance from trail head development, trial construction, road building, home construction, and campground development. Global climate change is also a threat, it could be devastating to high elevation moutane forests in western North America which have been characterized by heavy, deep snow pack in winter and cool summers (Castellano 2015).