Lion Shield vs Willow Shield

Pluteus leoninus compared with Pluteus salicinus

Key Differences

• Lion Shield is Vulnerable while Willow Shield is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Lion Shield	Willow Shield
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum same	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class same	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order same	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family same	Pluteaceae	Pluteaceae
Genus same	Pluteus	Pluteus
Species	Pluteus leoninus	Pluteus salicinus

Evolutionary Relationship

Lion Shield and Willow Shield share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Pluteus.

Conservation Status

Lion Shield

VU — Vulnerable

Willow Shield

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Lion Shield	Willow Shield
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Lion Shield

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), and North America (United States). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Willow Shield

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden