Some terrestrial species producing fruit bodies with a pileus (cap) and stipe (stem) are collectively known as the stipitate hydnoid fungi and are often studied as a group because of their ecological similarity. The species concerned are now referred to the genera Bankera, Hydnellum, Phellodon, and Sarcodon. All are ectomycorrhizal, belong in the Thelephorales, and are considered to be indicator species of old, species-rich forests. In Europe, at least, many are of conservation concern and feature on national or regional red lists of threatened fungal species. In the United Kingdom the stipitate hydnoid fungi have been given Biodiversity Action Plan statusUK Biodiversity Action Plans which has increased interest in the group and has generated funding to be put into survey workNewton AC et al. (2002). Status and distribution of stipitate hydnoid fungi in Scottish coniferous forests. Biological Conservation 107: 181–192. and other research.Parfitt D. et al. (2007). Molecular and morphological discrimination of stipitate hydnoids in the genera Hydnellum and Phellodon. Mycological Research 111: 761–777.van der Linde S. et al. (2008). A PCR-based method for detecting the mycelia of stipitate hydnoid fungi in soil. J. Microbiol. Methods 75: 40–46.
