Pseudorhizina sphaerospora (Ascomycota, Pezizales, Discinaceae) belongs to the rarest fungi of the Czech Republic (CR). At each of the three known localities its occurrence is quite different in character. There is a historical locality where the species was observed only once a long time ago (Plešný = Plechý Mts.), a locality with continuous occurrence for more than 80 years (Boubínský prales virgin forest) and a new locality, where the fungus was found in 2005 (Žofínský prales virgin forest). All records of P. sphaerospora in the CR originate exclusively from montane virgin forests representing rare remnants of natural vegetation almost untouched by man. However, in Nordic countries, Switzerland, Germany and Slovakia the species is known from man-made or man-influenced habitats. It seems that P. sphaerospora does not prefer natural forests but either cold and humid climatic conditions or dead wood with a stable high water content. Such conditions are met in Nordic countries, in high mountains, in virgin forests with a stable humid mesoclimate and in dead conifer woods supplied by water from streams, etc.
Holec J., Beran M. (2007): Distribution, ecology and fructification of a rare ascomycete, Pseudorhizina sphaerospora, in the Czech Republic and its habitats in Europe. – Czech Mycology 59(1): 51–66.
