Octaviania asterosperma (hypogeous Basidiomycota). Recent data to ecology and distribution
Phylogenetic analyses place <em>Octaviania asterosperma</em> in the Boletales, with <em>Leccinum</em> being the closest relative. Results of the structural investigation of <em>O. asterosperma</em> ectomycorrhiza with <em>Fagus</em> sylvatica confirm this systematic position. In Europe the species is an ectomycorrhizal partner of broad-leaved trees, such as <em>Carpinus, Corylus, Fagus, Quercus</em> and <em>Tilia</em>. This paper aims at presenting the new data to the distribution of <em>O. asterosperma</em> in Central Europe. The description of the basidiocarps discovered in Poland in the recent years is also given, together with evidence for the parasitic relationship of <em>Sepedonium laevigatum</em> with <em>O. asterosperma</em>. We also present the information concerning all known localities of the species in Poland and its distribution map. Data on the ecologz, distribution and status <em>O. asterosperma</em> in Europe, and some structural aspects of basidiocarps and spores, are also summarized.