Macrofungal diversity in moist temperate forests of Garhwal Himalaya

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in different moist temperate forests of Garhwal Himalaya. The fruiting bodies of macrofungi were collected from these forests between July 2008 and September 2009. Frequent field visits and collections were made within the elevation range of 550-2500 msl in the districts Pauri, Tehri, Chamoli and Rudraprayag. As a result of an extensive field survey and microscopic study in laboratory, 40 taxa belonging to 11 families were identified. Two families and 2 taxa belonged to class- Ascomycetes viz: Family-Helvellaceae and Morchellaceae, and nine families and 38 taxa to class-Basidiomycetes viz: Family-Agaricaceae, Amanitaceae, Boletaceae, Cantharellaceae, Coprinaceae, Ganodermataceae Hydnagiaceae, Lycoperdaceae and Russulaceae. Some macrofungi are also being used as medicine viz: Morchella esculenta, Hydnum repandum, Agaricus campestris, Cantharellus cibarius, Coprinus comatus and Ganoderma lucidum. © Indian Society for Education and Environment (iSee).