According to Hansen et al. (2019) the former genus Barssia Gilkey, is now synonymized with Balsamia Vittad., based on molecular phylogenetic results (including the type species). Thus, the correct taxon name is Balsamia hellenica (Kaounas, Agnello, P. Alvarado & Slavova) K. Hansen & X.H. Wang. Balsamia hellenica was described from two mountain localities in Greece, under Abies cephallonica. It was originally placed in the genus Barssia based on phylogenetic analyses of the LSU rDNA and ascoma with a conspicuous apical depression. Lately, it has been reported also from Türkiye, under Abies cilicica subsp. cilicica in mixed forest, based on morphological features only (Uzun et al. 2018).

Ascoma apical depression, spore size and host tree, has been given as features to distinguish Balsamia species, but spore measurements are overlapping and morphological differences are not always evident (Hansen et al. 2019).

Balsamia hellenica, Balsamia gunerii (H.H. Doğan, Bozok & Taşkın) K. Hansen & X.H. Wang found in Türkiye under Cedrus libani, and Balsamia maroccana (G. Moreno et al.) K. Hansen & X.H. Wang found in Morocco under Cedrus atlantica, are highly morphoanatomicaly similar and distinguished mainly due to different host trees.

Balsamia hellenica, may be endemic to Greece. Currently it is known from three widely separated mountains in Greece but it may also occur in Türkiye (to be confirmed). This species is distinguished from other similar Balsamia species from ascoma apical depression, spore size and host tree, but spore measurements are overlapping and morphological differences are not always evident (Hansen et al. 2019). It is very closely related to B. gunerii and B. maroccana based on the ITS and LSU phylogenies given in Doğan et al. (2018) and the species boundaries need to be addressed with more loci and material from different localities. Due to its highly morphoanatomic and molecular similarity, it is uncertain whether it is endemic or a widely distributed, symbiotic species. Due to taxonomic uncertainties, which make it difficult to confirm its distribution, the species is currently assessed as Data Deficient.

Balsamia hellenica is an ectomycorrhizal hypogeous fungi, known from mountainous localities of Greece, dominated by Greek Fir (Abies cephallonica) trees. It is originally described from Mt Parnitha (Attica) and Mt Mainalon (Kaounas et al. 2015, Kaounas pers.comm.) and it is also found on Mt Kallidromo (Fthiotida) (Daskalopoulos unpublished data). Recently it has also been reported from the Huzurlu high plateau (Gaziantep) in Türkiye, under Abies cilicica subsp. cilicica in mixed forest, 1,600 m asl, based on morphological features only (Uzun et al. 2018). However, there are overlapping morphological characters between Balsamia species, and thus identification without molecular tools is doubtful.

Balsamia hellenica is an ectomycorrhizal hypogeous fungi, associated probably with Greek Fir (Abies cephalonica) trees. It is recorded from three mountains: Mt Parnitha (Attica), Mt Mainalon (Peloponissos) and Mt Kallidromo (Fthiotida). Recently, it has also been reported from Türkiye, but without molecular identification, therefore its occurrence there is not yet confirmed. Given the wide area occupied by A. cephalonica forests in Central and Southern Greece, and the subterranean habit of the species, it is unsafe to estimate the number of mature individuals with certainty.

Balsamia hellenica is an hypogeous fungi, which forms symbiotic ectomycorrhizal relationships with Abies cephallonica. All known collections ranged from December to early June. Abies cephalonica is found between 400 and 1,800 m and rarely up to 2,000 m or more, where it grows in pure stands, or occasionally with Juniperus oxycedrus, usually at higher elevations, while at lower elevations can be found in association with Fagus orientalis, Quercus spp, Castanea sativa and Pinus nigra (Papanikolaou 2006). The Greek fir grows on soils derived from a variety of parent materials such as limestone, dolomites, shale, serpentine, sandstone, mica-schist and argillic-schist with pH ranging from 5 to 8 (Panetsos 1975).

There are no plausible or known threats to this species, except forest fires. According to IUCN European Habitat classification (Janssen 2016) and Abies cephalonica IUCN assessment (Gardner and Knees 2011), the Greek Fir population is stable and is assessed as Least Concern.

The Greek Fir forests, according to the European Directive 92/43, belong to the habitat type 91B0: 'Greek spruce (Abies cephalonica) forests', which is a habitat of national importance. The presence of the habitat in Greece is significant in extent, and because it is an endemic type, Greece bears the exclusive responsibility for its conservation in the European Union (Korakis 2015). It is afforded protection in a number of national parks including; Cephalonia N.P., Mt. Parnassos N.P. and Mt. Oeti N.P. (Duffey 1982).