Documentation of wild edible mushrooms from Meghalaya, Northeast India

Abstract

The present study aimed to generate information on the mushroom diversity from Shyrwat and Upper Shillong Reserve Forests of Meghalaya, Northeast India. A total of 22 mushrooms were collected during the rainy season (July to September) 2014, and identified on the basis of macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. The mushrooms representing 16 genera, 14 families and 6 orders were identified. Based on the traditional knowledge obtained from local people, a total of 11 species, viz. Armillaria mellea, Boletus edulis, Gomphus floccosus, Lactarius deliciosus, Lactarius indigo, Laccaria laccata,, Lactarius rubidus, Lentinus edodes, Ramaria formosa, Russula parvovirescens and Suillus bovinus were found to be edible. Out of these 11 edible species, 7 species were first time recorded from the investigated areas. Therefore, detail morphological and microscopic characteristics of these 7 species are documented in this study.