Phellinus sulphurascens (Hymenochaetaceae, Basidiomycota): A Very Rare Wood-Decay Fungus in Europe Collected in Turkey

Phellinus sulphurascens Pilat was collected from juniper tree stumps (Juniperus excelsa and J. foetidissima) in two different localities situated in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. This very rare species is known in Europe only from the Ural Mountains in Russia. This fungus is an aggressive root rot pathogen associated with Douglas fir and other conifers in North America. This is the first report on juniper as a new host outside of its known distribution area.