Polyozellus multiplex

Restricted to Japan and western and northeastern North America. There is one unverified collection reported from Australia. Total of current occurrences is estimated to be slightly above 200. There are several protected western forest sites, but some reserves may be opened dependent upon changes in administration of the Northwest Forest Plan. Mycorrhizal species depend upon the health and preservation of associated coniferous partners, which are valuable timber targets. Other threats include fire, development, and commercial harvesting. Cultural characteristics and sexuality unknown. Uncommon to rare.

Restricted to Japan and North America, with one unverified collection (BPI 11-18-02) reported from Australia. In North America it has been reported from AK, BC, WA, OR, ID, CA,NM, CO, MI, ON, QU, ME (Smith & Morse 1947, Smith 1968,m Bigelow 1978, Norvell 1995; Databases include BPI, DAVFP, OSC). In the Pacific Northwest it is restricted to old coniferous forests.

Polyozellus multiplex is known from Japan and North America (and possibly Australia -- unconfirmed report from BPI database). Incomplete data do not permit estimations of number of occurrences worldwide. Within the PNW US, 33-57 recent collections have been reported (Norvell 1995, ISMS 2002). Many fruitbodies (which are choice edibles) are assumed to be collected for food and not reported. Nonetheless the species is regarded as uncommon to rare in the west.

Threats to occurrences outside the northern spotted owl region are not addressed here but may be assumed to be the same as those below. Occurrences within the northern spotted region are threatened by development, hot fires, and forest clear cutting or heavy thinning, but probably not by low thinning. Logging is occurring in or predicted for the unprotected areas in the northern spotted owl region. Depending on a change in forest management or hot fire, the severity and immediacy of the threat could be moderate to extreme.