Top 20 Edible Mushrooms Popular in Tamil Nadu
Diving into the world of fungi, this piece delves into the mystic forests of Tamil Nadu, a state renowned for its diverse ecosystems that are home to a myriad of mushrooms. From misty hills to wet coastal regions, Tamil Nadu offers fertile grounds auspicious for mushroom growth. Discover the 20 most prevalent edible mushrooms in Tamil Nadu, each one unique and distinct, varying in tastes, culinary uses, and habitats. Get ready to explore the intriguing world of fungi right in Tamil Nadu.
* Disclaimer: Content feedback CAN NOT be used as any basis for EATING ANY PLANTS. Some plants can be VERY POISONOUS, please purchase edible plants through regular channels.
Most Popular Edible Mushrooms
1. Fan-shaped jelly-fungus
Just as its Latin and the common English names suggest, the fan-shaped jelly-fungus (Dacryopinax spathularia) is a fan-shaped or spatula-shaped jelly-like mushroom. It commonly grows in wood cracks and it sometimes even appears in the cracks of the processed wood and lumber. Despite the word "jelly" in its name, the fan-shaped jelly-fungus is not considered edible.
2. Bridal veil stinkhorn
Bridal veil stinkhorn (Phallus indusiatus) can be found rising up from the ground in tropical forests around the world. A distinctive netted fringe “skirt” descends from the cap along the length of the stalk. A type of “stinkhorn,” the fruitbodies of this species produce scents that vary between sickly-sweet to just plain unpleasant. The odor is meant to attract insects that usually lay their eggs in carrion.
3. Snow fungus
Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis) is so-named not because it is associated with winter, but, rather, because its fruitbodies look like little piles of snow fungus on the ground. This fungus actually inhabits very warm - tropical and subtropical - locations around the globe. Snow fungus does not have much taste, but it is cultivated for culinary use across East Asia, where it is often added to thicken soups and desserts.
4. Pink oyster mushroom
Pink oyster mushroom is a striking mushroom that grows in the shape of an oyster shell. It has a brilliant pink color that fades as the mushroom ages. Pink oyster mushroom is primarily found in warmer climates growing on tropical hardwood trees.
5. Ivory woodwax
Ivory woodwax (Hygrophorus eburneus) prefers to sprout in moist and loamy soil. Common to thickets and similarly grassy areas, this species is easily identifiable due to its color and its slimy, almost waxlike coating. Specimens have been recorded in Europe, North American and Northern Africa.
6. Paddy straw mushroom
The paddy straw mushroom is a highly popular mushroom, regularly cultivated on rice straw in East and Southeast Asia. Highly nutritious, it is the third most-eaten mushroom in the world, though mostly available in canned form. It's an important part of many Asian cuisines, particularly Thai.
7. Lung oyster
Developing all around the northern hemisphere, lung oyster mushrooms grow in overlapping shelf-like clusters on deciduous branches, trunks, and fallen logs in the wild. They are easy to cultivate on other substrates, like spent coffee grounds and sawdust, for commercial production. They are generally considered safe to eat, although some people may develop allergies.
8. Fan-shaped jelly-fungus
Just as its Latin and the common English names suggest, the fan-shaped jelly-fungus (Dacryopinax spathularia) is a fan-shaped or spatula-shaped jelly-like mushroom. It commonly grows in wood cracks and it sometimes even appears in the cracks of the processed wood and lumber. Despite the word "jelly" in its name, the fan-shaped jelly-fungus is not considered edible.
9. Bridal veil stinkhorn
Bridal veil stinkhorn (Phallus indusiatus) can be found rising up from the ground in tropical forests around the world. A distinctive netted fringe “skirt” descends from the cap along the length of the stalk. A type of “stinkhorn,” the fruitbodies of this species produce scents that vary between sickly-sweet to just plain unpleasant. The odor is meant to attract insects that usually lay their eggs in carrion.
10. Snow fungus
Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis) is so-named not because it is associated with winter, but, rather, because its fruitbodies look like little piles of snow fungus on the ground. This fungus actually inhabits very warm - tropical and subtropical - locations around the globe. Snow fungus does not have much taste, but it is cultivated for culinary use across East Asia, where it is often added to thicken soups and desserts.
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