The state of knowledge of Macromycetes in xerothermic grasslands in Poland

The short history of research on and the current state of knowledge of macromycetes occurring in xerothermic swards of the class Festuco-Brometea in Poland over the last 50 years are presented. Mycological investigations in most communities, e.g. Sisymbrio-Stipetum capillatae and Thalictro-Salvietum pratensis have been carried out rather occasionally and the information concerning steppe fungi has been reported in few papers only. Regular mycological studies have been conducted in five plant associations only: Festucetum pallentis, Origano-Brachypodietum, Koelerio-Festucetum rupicolae, Potentillo-Stipetum capillatae and Adonido-Brachypodietum pinnati. The list of species of fungi recorded in xerothermic swards in Poland is not long and comprises approximately 40 species. Some are very rare and put on the red-list as threatened macrofungi in Poland (36), e.g. Calvatia candida, Disciseda bovista, D. candida, Gastrosporium simplex, Geastrum minimum, G. schmidelli, Leucopaxillus lepistoides, Montagnea radiosa, Myriostoma coliforme, Polyporus rhizophilus and Tulostoma melanocyclum. The mycological profile of xerothermic swards in Poland has been under-explored. Further investigations on macrofungi occurring in steppe swards, their distribution and ecology as well as threats resulting from the disappearance of this type of plant communities in Poland are necessary.