Top 20 Edible Mushrooms Popular in Basilicata
In the verdant landscapes of Basilicata, a myriad of remarkable mushrooms thrive, with 20 commonly edible variations. This region, packed with fertile forests and sprawling grasslands, provides an ideal habitat for fungi, especially culinary-worthy mushrooms. Discover each type’s unique features, from their diverse appearances to their distinct tastes and ways they enrich local cuisine. As this guide delves into their preferred habitats and culinary uses, you're sure to get a well-rounded understanding of Basilicata's most prevalent edible fungi.
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Most Popular Edible Mushrooms
1. Big sheath mushroom
These large white mushrooms bloom all over cleared, harvested fields, as well as pastures and roadsides. The scientific species name comes from Greek words meaning “glue” (glioio) and “head” (cephalus), in reference to the sticky surface of this mushroom’s cap. The big sheath mushroom looks so similar to the poisonous Deathcap and Destroying Angel mushrooms that it should always be left alone.
2. Suillus collinitus
Suillus collinitus is a mushroom that grows in a symbiotic relationship with pine trees, particularly the Aleppo pine. This fungus is sometimes introduced to young pine trees to help them to become established in poor soils. It was listed as an endangered species in the United Kingdom, but its 'vulnerable' classification was removed from that nation's Red Data List in 2006.
3. Chicken of the woods
Chicken of the woods is very noticeable in hardwood forests, appearing in clusters on standing tree trunks in bright orange and yellow hues that sometimes last through the entire winter. It is a parasite that causes an unfortunate brown heart rot, and is considered a particularly troublesome pest of Yew trees. If the fruitbodies can be seen, the tree is likely already beyond saving.
4. Beefsteak fungus
Beefsteak fungus(Fistulina hepatica) is an unusual fungus that visually resembles a slab of raw meat; cutting into it will cause a discharge of thick red liquid resembling blood, adding to this resemblance.
5. Common stinkhorn
The common stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus) grows incredibly quickly, sometimes nearing 30 cm in a single afternoon. Their caps are pitted in a way which makes them reminiscent of morels. However, there's little mistaking the common stinkhorn for a morel; the former, in addition to sporting a much longer stalk, has a clear and pungent odor.
6. Giant polypore
The giant polypore (Meripilus giganteus) is a tough-fleshed shelf or bracket fungus that can be found parasitizing the roots, branches or boles of trees - especially hardwoods - across temperate regions of Europe and Asia (a very closely related species, Meripilus sumstenei, is distributed across North America - some sources list these two species as synonymous).
7. Milk-white brittlegill
Fruitbodies of the large milk-white brittlegill (Russula delica) arise from the forest floor already quite formed, a fact which results in dirty and pockmarked caps. “Delica” means “without milk,” and this mushroom can be most readily distinguished from the lookalike Fleecy Milkcap by its lack of milky latex exudate.
8. Meadow mushroom
The meadow mushroom grows in meadows and pastures around the world—especially those rich in manure—when the weather is warm and wet. They are known to appear in “fairy ring” shapes. Originally identified in Europe, it is possible that North American specimens identified as meadow mushrooms may genetically belong to other species.
9. Yellow morel
The yellow morel (Morchella esculenta) is one of the most iconic and sought-after species of edible mushrooms. It is often one of the first species that novice mushroom gatherers will hunt for. Yellow morels have elongated caps that are "honeycombed", being filled with roughly polygonal holes. Splitting them down the middle reveals them to be hollow on the inside, a key feature that distinguishes them from toxic false morels. Experts recommend cooking or boiling this mushroom before consumption, as raw morels may cause an upset stomach.
10. Silky sheath
Silky sheaths (Volvariella bombycina) are widely distributed, being found in temperate and sub-tropical forests around the world, but rare. The fruitbody emerges from a silky-textured volva, and the mushroom's white or off-white cap is usually quite smooth as well. One of this species' favored microhabitats is the rotted knotholes of mature maples, elms, oaks, or beeches.
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