613

NSave Nature to Survive

ISSN: 0973 - 7049

: Special issue, Vol. 3;

Paper presented in International Conference onEnvironment, Energy and Development (from

Stockholm to Copenhagen and beyond)December 10 - 12, 2010, Sambalpur University

WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS USED BY SOME ETHNIC TRIBES

OF WESTERN ASSAM

T. C. Sarma et al.

Edible mushroom

Ethnic tribes

Western Assam

613-625; 2010

614

T. C. SARMA*, I. SARMA1 AND B. N. PATIRI2

1Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam2DFO-Chirang, Kajalgaon, Assam

E- mail: tarunchandrasarma@yahoo.com

NSave Nature to Survive

In North-eastern region of India mushrooms are highly coveted item of food. But the knowledge

of edible mushroom in Assam is confined only to the ethnic tribes of the state. One also comes

across occasional reports about deaths resulting from consumption of poisonous mushroom.

Thousands of mushroom species are increasingly studied and collected by amateur mushroom

hunters. About 100 of these can cause serious illness, and prove fatal. Mushroom production

represents one of the most commercially important step towards diversification of agriculture

based microbial technology for large-scale recycling of agro-wastes in an agricultural country like

India. It relieves the pressure on arable land, because its cultivation is indoors, and is also more

suited to the women folk. Mushrooms are regarded as highly nutritious food containing large

amount of proteins. Mushrooms are also important foreign exchange earners. Mushrooms have

been recommended as food item contributing significantly to the protein nutrition of the develop-

ing countries like India(FAO), which depend mainly on the cereal diets. Low cost labour, varied

agro-climatic conditions and abundant cheap raw materials for production of various mushrooms

may make India a future mushroom exporter both in form of quality and quantity of diverse food.

Among the ethnic tribes, Garos uses at least seven species of mushrooms followed by Adivashis,

Bodos and Rajbangshis of Western Assam. But the potentialities of such species are yet to be

studied in detail. In this study, an attempt has been made to include few edible mushroom species

that are frequently eaten by ethnic tribes of Western Assam.

ABSTRACT

*Corresponding author

www.thebioscan.in

615

INTRODUCTION

Fungi have been occupying a prominent position in the biological world because of their variety, economic

and environmental importance. The study of fungal biodiversity has been carried out world over (Crous,

2006) and 1.5 million species has been reported so far (Hawksworth, 2004). About 50% of them have been

characterized (Monoharachary et al., 2005). The total numbers of fungal species in India is 27,000 (Cowan,

2001; Chang and Miles, 2004). The fungal biotechnology is an emerging area and they are intimately related

with our life (Monoharachary et al., 2005). Macrofungi are unique from fungal diversity point of view.

Macrofungi grow prolifically and are found in many parts of the world (Smith, 1963). It is usual for a

particular fungus to produce a visible fruiting body only under a precise combination of conditions, including

geographic location, elevation, temperature, humidity, light and surrounding flora. Studies on macrofungi

and their various aspects have been carried out in different parts of the globe (Laferriare and Gilbertson,

1990; Peck, 1873; Stojchev, 1995). Studies on Macrofungi have been an area of importance for the scientists

in particular and the people in general, because of their role in human welfare, in food industry, in medicines,

and biodegradation (Ozturk et al., 2003). However, the study of macrofungi, having edibility and medicinal

properties are yet to be properly dealt with (Jonathan and Fasidi, 2003).

Traditional mycological knowledge of most Indian ethnic groups has proven to be extensive and profound,

consuming nearly 283 species of wild mushrooms out of 2000 species recorded world over (Purkayastha and

Chandra, 1985). Despite having all the favourable conditions, mushroom farming is not spreading fast in

India. Presently, about 70,000 ton of fresh mushroom is being produced in India as against over 5 million ton

world production of mushroom annually.

Wild mushrooms are a valuable non-timber forest resource used by mycophilic societies and their use has

been documented in many countries around the world (Prance, 1984; Gonzalez-Elizondo, 1991; Harkonen etal., 1993b; Jones and Whalley, 1994; Chang and Lee, 2004, Roberto G.O et al., 2005). They are sold intraditional markets (Roberto G.O et al., 2005; Moreno-Black et al., 1996) or commercially exploited asfood (Redhead, 1997; Pilz et al., 1999) or medicines (Oso, 1977; Rai et al., 1993; Vaidya and Rabba, 1993;Chamberlain, 1996). Ethnomycological aspects were also dealt with by few workers in different parts ofIndia and world over (Harsh et al. 1993; Bulakh, 2001; Didukh, 2001; Adhikary et al., 2005). Some of thewild edible mushrooms has also been reported from Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh of North East India

(Sing and Sing, 1993; Sing et al., 2002). Whereas, from Assam Baruah et al., (1971) reported few

Basidiomycetous fungus of Sibsagar District.

Study Area

The North east India encompasses diverse hills and vales. These areas are rather treasure of diverse flora

and fauna. The forest of western Assam residing in between 26° 102 123 N-26° 172 NL and 90° 372 123- 90°622 EL (2729 km2) possesses the reserve forests viz., Kachugaon, Haltugaon, Parbatjhora and Chirangof undivided Goalpara district. The forest composition is like – Eastern Himalayan upper Bhabar Sal forest,Eastern Himalayan Lower Bhabar Sal forest, Eastern Terrai Sal forest, Eastern heavy alluvian Plain Sal

forest, Eastern Hill Sal forest, Northern Secondary moist deciduous forest, Evergreen forest, Lower alluvial

Savanah,Woodland, Eastern west alluvial grass land, Riperian Fringe Forest, Khoir Sissoo forest, SecondaryBamboo brakes (Source: Profile on Forest and Wild Life of Bodoland Territorial, Forest Department).Theaverage maximum temperature 37°C and minimum 8°C, Rainfall 176cm-300cm. All these forest areas withdifferent forest types are unique from biodiversity point of view.

Some of the ethnic tribes viz. Adivashis, Bodos and Rajbangshis are residing by the side of all these forestsare consuming some of the mushrooms available in the forests. The relationship of ethnic groups withmushrooms is based on one hand on the castes that are aware of the religious sacredness of the Hinduism andon the other hand on traditional knowledge. The origin and distribution of some ethnic castes are found tolocalize in particular zone or area. The ethnic groups are the traditional collectors. The different kinds ofedible and non-poisonous mushrooms that are consumed in the region grow wild. Their knowledge on mushroomsand fungi are quite different.

WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS OF WESTERN ASSAM

616

In this paper, our aim was to benchmark diversity of macrofungi, collect, preserve, and evaluate their usage

in food and medicines by some ethnic tribes of Western Assam.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Survey collection and identification

Regular survey and collection of macrofungi were carried out in Kachugaon, Haltugaon, Parbatjhora, and

Chirang reserve forest of erstwhile Goalpara district which is located in the western Assam. Along with the

forests different markets were also surveyed during April, 2008 to October, 2009. Six different selected

sites were visited; viz. Runikhata bengtol, Abhoypuri (hilly area), Kachugaon, Panbari, Goma in Parbatjhora

forest and Ultapani. The fleshy fungi were collected from different habitats. The different forest mentioned

above are Sal-forest, Evergreen forest and deciduous forests i.e. mixed type of forests are impregnated with

-decaying wood and rotting plant parts, termites nests, elephants and cow dungs, leaf litters etc. The

specimens were found attached to various substrata. The collection of specimens were also done from

different markets of the localities in order to gather information in regards to their place of occurrence.

Collected samples were wrapped in cellophane paper and brought to the laboratory for their identification.

The macrofungi with leathery texture were preserved in 4% formaldehyde solution where as the samples

with soft texture were preserved in 2% formaldehyde solution and kept as herbarium specimens. Dried

specimens were also preserved for identification, characterization and documentation. The habitat, colour,

shape and size, growth, texture, odour and adaptation to the environment considered prior to the preservation

of the collected macro fungi. Identification of the specimens were carried out by standard microscopic

methods (Roy and De, 1996), and also considering various morphological and anatomical features into

account (Overholts, 1953; Bondarstev, 1953; Bakshi, 1971; Zoberi, 1972; Nilson and Persoon, 1978; Higgins,

1972; Ryvarden and Johansen,1980; Dickinson and Lucus, 1982; ; Roy and De, 1996; Garnweidner, 1996;

Sharma, 2000). Environments were considered prior to the preservation of the collected macro fungi.

Frequency study

Number of sites in which the species is presentFrequency of fungal species(%)= X 100

Total number of sites

RESULTS

Species diversity of macrofungi is related to the particular habitats and ecosystem. We found that

environmental factors like light, temperature and RH greatly influenced the growth and development of

macrofungi. During this period of one and a half year the outcome of the regular survey, 26 different species

of macrofungi belonging to 14 genera and 13 families were identified (Table -1). Excepting Morchella

esculanta (Ascomycetes) rest of the species belongs to Basidiomycetes. Out of the 26 species identified 3

belongs to family Auriculariaceae, 3 belongs to Agaricaceae, 2 belongs to Boletaceae, 2 belongs to

Lycoperdaceae, 2 belongs to Cantherallaceae, 1 belongs to Ganodermataceae, 4 belongs to Marasmiaceae,

2 belongs to Polyporaceae, 1 belongs to Schizophyllaceae, 5 belongs to Tricholomataceae (all Basidiomycetes)

where as, 1 belongs to Helvellaceae (i.e., Ascomycetes). This study revealed that in this area of the state

majority of macrofungi Ganoderma lucidum(100%) was followed by Cantharellus tubaeformis (83.33%)and

Agaricus bisporus(83.33%), Schizophyllum commune, Auricularia delicata, Boletus luteus, Cantherallus

cibarius, Lycoperdon cladopus, Termitomyces clypeatus(66.66%), Auricularia auricula, Lentinus edodes,

Laetiporus sulphureus, Morchella esculanta, Termitomyces mammiformies, Auricularia polytricha, Agaricus

sylvetica, Calvatia gigantia, Lentinus sajor-cajo, Lentinus ostreatus, Tricholoma terreum(33.33%), Agaricus

campestries, Boletus edulis, Lenzites betulina, Lycoperdon pyriforme, Termitomyces robustus, Termitomyces

microcarpus (16.66%). Among these 26 species studied Ganoderma lucidum (Ganodermataceae) was found

to be highest (Table 1, Fig. 1).

Edible species

T. C. SARMA et al.,

617

Nam

e of

the

spec

ies

Cla

ssF

am

ily

Host

/ S

ubst

ratu

mU

se

F

requen

cy o

f occ

urr

ence

(%

)

Auri

cula

ria a

uri

cula

(Hook)

Bas

idio

myce

tes

Auri

cula

riaceae

Dea

d b

amboo c

ulm

,Under

Edib

le,

med

icin

al50

wood.

Liv

e P

sidiu

m g

uava

A.d

elicata

(Fr.

) H

eim

.B

asid

iom

yce

tes

Auri

cula

riaceae

Dea

d log o

f Sem

ecarp

us

sp.

Edib

le66.6

6

A.p

oly

tric

ha(M

ont.

)Sac

c.B

asid

iom

yce

tes

Auri

cula

riaceae

Dea

d b

amboo c

ulm

s.E

dib

le33.3

3

Agari

cus

bis

poru

s Q

uel

.B

asid

iom

yce

tes

Agari

caceae

The

mea

dow

s, H

um

us,

Edib

le83.3

3

Dea

d w

ood l

ogs.

A.c

am

pest

ries(

L)

Fr.

Bas

idio

myce

tes

Agari

caceae

–do-

Edib

le16.6

6

A.

sylv

etica (

Sch

aeff

.)B

asid

iom

yce

tes

Agari

caceae

-do-

Edib

le33.3

3B

ole

tus

edulis(

Fri

es)

Bas

idio

myce

tes

Bole

taceae

Dea

d w

ood l

ogs,

fie

ld c

over

edE

dib

le16.6

6by d

ead g

rass

esB

.lute

us

Lin

n.

Bas

idio

myce

tes

Bole

taceae

elep

han

t dung infe

sted

soil.

Edib

le66.6

6C

alv

atia g

igantia

Bas

idio

myce

tes

Lyco

per

dac

eae

Dea

d w

ood logs,

On the

Edib

le33.3

3(B

atsc

h e

x.

Per

s.)

gro

und L

lyod F

ield

Canth

erallus

cibari

us

(L)

Fr.

Bas

idio

myce

tes

Canth

era

llaceae

On l

ive

coco

nut,

Dea

dE

dib

le,

rich

in v

itam

in66.6

6w

ood logs

C,

inse

ctic

idal

C.t

ubiform

is(

Fr.

)B

asid

iom

yce

tes

Canth

era

llaceae

dea

d w

ood logs,

gro

ws

amongst

.E

dib

le,

rich

in v

itam

in83.3

3 M

oss

es in the

woods

C,

inse

ctic

idal

Ganoder

ma l

uci

dum

(L

eys

ex F

r.)

Bas

idio

myce

tes

Ganoderm

ata

ceae

In liv

ing t

ree.

Fal

len W

ood

Med

icin

al10

0K

ars

ten

logs,

Dea

d w

ood logs.

Len

tinus

edodes

(B

erk.)

Peg

ler.

Bas

idio

myce

tes

Mara

smia

ceae

Dea

d w

ood logs

of

Edib

le50

Cass

ia fis

tula

.L.c

ladopus

Lev

.B

asid

iom

yce

tes

Mara

smia

ceae

dea

d w

ood logs.

Edib

le66.6

6Len

tinus

sajo

r-ca

jo (

Fr.

) F

r.B

asid

iom

yce

tes

Mara

smia

ceae

dea

d w

ood logs

Edib

le33.3

3Len

tinus.

ost

reatu

s(Ja

cquin

ex F

r).

Bas

idio

myce

tes

Mara

smia

ceae

-Do-

Edib

le33.3

3K

um

mer.

Laet

iporu

s su

lphure

us(

Fr.

) M

urr

.B

asid

iom

yce

tes

Poly

pora

ceae

Psi

diu

m g

uav

a,E

dib

le50

Dea

d w

ood logs

Len

zite

s bet

ulina(L

.)F

ries

Bas

idio

myce

tes

Poly

pora

ceae

Dea

d w

ood logs

Non-e

dib

le16.6

6Lyc

oper

don p

yriform

e (S

chae

ff.)

Bas

idio

myce

tes

Lyco

per

dac

eae

Mea

dow

s,hum

us.

Edib

le16.6

6M

orc

hel

la e

scula

nta

(L

.) P

ers.

Asc

om

ycete

sH

elv

ell

aceae

Gro

und,M

eadow

s.E

dib

le50

Sch

izophyl

lum

com

mune

(Fr.

)B

asid

iom

yce

tes

Sch

izophyllac

eae

Dea

d b

amboo c

ulm

s,E

dib

le83.3

3D

ead w

ood l

ogs.

Term

itom

yces

cly

peatu

s (H

eim

.)B

asid

iom

yce

tes

Tri

cholo

mata

ceae

Ter

mites

nes

tsE

dib

le66.6

6T.m

am

mif

orm

ies

(Hei

m.)

Bas

idio

myce

tes

Tri

cholo

mata

ceae

Ter

mites

hiv

eE

dib

le50

T.r

obust

us

(Bee

li)H

eim

.B

asid

iom

yce

tes

Tri

cholo

mata

ceae

Soil a

ssoci

ated

with

Edib

le16.6

6T

erm

ites

hiv

e.T.m

icro

carp

us

(Ber

k.

Ex.B

r.)

Bas

idio

myce

tes

Tri

cholo

mata

ceae

fruit b

odie

s gro

w in

Edib

le16.6

6H

eim

.G

roup n

ear

term

ites

N

ests

.Tri

cholo

ma te

rreum

(Sca

eff.

.Fr.

)B

asid

iom

yce

tes

Tri

cholo

mata

ceae

On f

ore

st s

oil.

Edib

le33.3

3ku

mm

er

Most

of th

e m

acro

fungi st

udie

d in thes

e ar

ea a

re e

dib

le a

nd m

edic

inal

, utilize

d b

y the

diffe

rent et

hnic

tri

bes

of w

este

rn A

ssam

.

Table

1:

Fre

quen

cy o

f occ

urr

ence

of

Macr

o f

ungi

studie

d i

n w

este

rn A

ssam

.

WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS OF WESTERN ASSAM

618

Figure 1: Frequency of occurrence of different macro fungi of western Assam

Aa-Auricularia auricula (Hook) Underwood

Ad- Auricularia delicata(Fr.) Heim.Ap- A.polytricha(Mont.)SaccAb- Agaricus bisporus Quel

Ac- A.campestries(L) Fr.As- A. sylvetica (Schaeff.)Be- Boletus edulis(Fries)

Bl- B.luteus Linn.Cg- Calvatia gigantia(Batsch ex. Pers.)Cc- Cantherallus cibarius (L) Fr.

Ct- C.tubaeformis( Fr.)Gl-Ganoderma lucidum (Leys ex Fr) KarstenLe- Lentinus edodes (Berk.)Pegler.

Lc- L.cladopus Lev.Ls-Lentinus sajor-cajo (Fr.) Fr.Ls-Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.) Murril

Lo- Lentinus.ostreatus(Jacquin ex Fr). Kummer.Lb- Lenzites betulina(L.)FriesLp- Lycoperdon pyriforme (Schaeff.)

M- Morchella esculanta (L.) Pers.Sc- Schizophyllum commune (Fr.)Tc- Termitomyces clypeatus (Heim.)

Tm- T.mammiformiesTr- T.robustus (Beeli)Heim.Tt- Tricholoma terreum(Scaeff..Fr.)Kummer

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Aa

Ad

Ap

Ab

Ac

As

Be

Bl

Cg

Cc

Ct

GlLe

Lc

Ls

Lo

Ls

Lb

Lp

Me

Sc

Tc

Tm

Tr

Tm

Tt

Plate 3: Laetiporus sulphureus Murr Plate 4: Boletus edulis

Plate 2: Cantherallus cibarius (ventral view)Plate 1: Cantherallus cibrius

T. C. SARMA et al.,

619

Plate 8: GanodermaPlate 7: Auricularia

Plate 5: Lentinus Plate 6: Agaricus

Plate9:Termitomyces Plate10:Termitomyces

The consumption of different mushrooms varies from tribe to tribes. Edibility of mushroom is dependent

upon the palatability as well as its availability in a particular area. The favourable season for mushrooms

collection is rainy season. The picking of mushrooms in these areas was mainly dominated by the males;

however, it is followed by women and children. Of course, the Bodo women are fond of collecting the

mushrooms. It is also pertinent that utilization of mushroom were being transmitted amongst the ethnic

WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS OF WESTERN ASSAM

620

people orally from one generation to the next. The Garos and the Bodos from western Assam had some

knowledge to identify the edible and poisonous forms of mushrooms.

All together 25 edible species from the study areas were recorded (Table 1). The informants were also

asked to categories the mushrooms according to their palatability values (Table 1).

Auricularia auricula(Hook) Underwood.

Fruit bodies jelly like, ear shaped, solitary, gregarious occasionally, reddish brown, sessile, 2.4-10 cm. inbreadth, 0.7-1.5 mm.in thickness, fruit body anchoring to the Psidium guava (L) plant and dead bambooculms. L.S. of the fruit body –divided into 6 zones;viz. Zona pilosa-5μm in diameter, hyaline, Zona compacta-

62-72 μm wide; Zona sub compacta,superior, 112-132 wide; hypha 2μm diameter, coarsely granular; Zona

intermedia 280-310 μmbreadth, hyphae 1.5-2μ m diameter, Zona sub compacta inferior-95-110μm, dense

compact layer. Basidia elongated cylindric with three transverse septa. Spores white, sausage-shaped, 16–

18×6–8μm.

Auricularia delicata (Fr.) Heim.

Fruit body 2-9.5 cm. width, 0.4x1.5 mm; thick, sessile, solitary, on dead wood logs; ear shaped, brownish

black, hard, rubbery- gelatinous when fresh and brittle when dry.

Hymenium light reddish brown, basidium is virgate, Spore colourless, transparent, smooth, cylindrical,

10-13ì m× 5-6ì m. Edible and also used to stop bleeding.

Auricularia polytricha(Mont.)Sacc.

Fruiting bodyrubbery, gelatinous when young and on drying become brittle, cartilaginous sheet like; Pileus

4- 7.9.cm. in breadth 0.5-1.6mm. thick; in l. s. of the pileus showing zonapilosa, zona compacta, zona sub

compacta, zonalaxa superior, medulla, zonalax inferior, zona subcompacta inferior; hymenium 80-90μm.

basidia cylindrical, triseptate, 50-60x4-5μm; basidiospores curved, cylindrical, 12.3-15x4.5-6μm. Edible.

Agaricus bisporus Quell

Cap-6.33-10.16cm.brown with dirty white tint; gills crowded, free, flesh-coloured or chocolate brown,basidia

normal,mostly 2-4 spored,basidiospores 4.2-6.2x3.2-4.4μm ,cystidia absent, trama regular in hymenophore,

stipe-short, stocky,with wooly ring;grows in humus rich soil .Excellent edible mushroom.

Agaricus campestris(L) Fries

Sporephore stipitate, white,growing solitary in soil,Cap 2.95-6.9cm. in diameter,some times arranged in

fairy rings; Gills-free,crowded,white in young stage; stipe 3.2-6.2cm.,long,0.6-1.45cm. thick,annulus

present,volva absent, Basidia 2.2-5.2-7.8μm.Cystidia absent.Edible .

Agaricus silvetica(Schaeff.)

Sporophores grow on soil, stipitate, cap 2.9-8.75 cm.in diameter,campanulate at youn stage,subumbonate at

maturity; white,greysh brown at maturity; Gills disnict,crowded;stipe central, slightly narrow towards the

apex, basidia 10.0-16.5 x2.9-8.0μm;Cheilocystidia clavate,; basidiospores 4.2-5.2 x2.9-3.5μm; spore print

brown. Edible.

Boletus edulis(Fries)

Fruit body whitish, greenish at young stage, yellow at maturity, stipe stout stem-white or yellowish 2.5 cm

to 10 cm; partially covered with raised network, gills- narrow, hymenium- adnate, spore print brown, grows

on broad leaved woods, mycorhizal.

Boletus luteus Linn

Cap-5.0-8 cm., thick shining layer of slime cover the cap, often rain washes this layer, stipe with fluffy

spots above the ring, gills narrow ,spore print yellowish white, grows under some deciduous tree. Young

ones are good to eat.

Cantharellus tubaeformis Fr.

Cap 2.9-10.5 cm, more or less funnel shaped; hollo towards the base of the stem, wavy or crisped margin;

T. C. SARMA et al.,

621

gills thick, forked decurrent. Spore print white, stem-compressed, pitted; flesh tough, edible, tasty. It is

available in great numbers in late winter. Very tasty but with no fruity smell.

Cantharellus tubaeformis is an excellent food, either fried or in soups.

Cibarius(L)Fr

Fruit body yellowish with orange tints, fruity smell like those of apricots, mildly peppery taste, cap 2.8-

10.5cm, cap convex infundibuliform, hymenium attachment irregular, stipe 3.0-8.0 cm, stipe bare, spore

ellipsoidal(3.4-9.1 cmx 4.0-6.2 μm; odour mild, basidia 3.5-14.2 μm, clavate, 4-sterignata, 3.8-5.5 μm),

spore print yellow, Ectomycorhizal.

It has a fruity smell, reminiscent of apricots and a mildly peppery taste and is considered an excellent

edible mushroom

Marasmius oreades (Bolton) Fr

The fruiting bodies form fairy rings,Cap-1.27-5.08cm;campanulate,umbonate,margin;stem cartilaginous,7cm.

long and 5mm.in diametergills attached to the stem or free from it, thick, spore print white, basidio spores

elliptical, -7-10x4-8μm,cystidia absent.

Cap 1 cm to 10 cm, Flat- umbonate, margin-striate, Gills-thick, stem-cartilaginous; Flesh tough. Grows

amongst the grasses, edible.

Termitomyces clypeatus Heim

In termites hive of shaded forest. Cap 5.5 cm-7.0 cm, grayish brown, silky; margins reflexed, gills-free,

white, crowded, stipe long-7.5 cm, white, solid, equal but sometimes bulbous besides soil, spore print

pinkish, basidia- clavate, basidiospores-4 hyaline, smooth, thin walled. 4-8x 3-4.2 μm.

Termitomyces mammiformis (Heim)

Cap-6.5 cm.in diameter,umbo prominent and inflexed margin;gills free,free white,stipe long-5.5 cm.width-

1cm.;solid and white; the lower tapering end of the stipe is deep Seated in the termites hive.presence of

persistent annulus is a diagnostic character of this species.Basidia clavate; basidiospores smooth,ellipsoidal,

hyaline;6.2 -3.2 μm ; spore print yellowish grey.

Termitomyces robusta(Beeli) Heim.

Cap dark- brown 7-15 cm.in diameter; with inflexed margin; free gills, white in colour; stipe long-4.8-6.1

μm; it has continuation in the termites nest infested soil; the total length of the stipe along with the buried

portion is 25 cm.basidia clavate; basidiospores ellipsoidal. Basidiospores large, 5.6 x 4.58 μm.

Termitomyces microcarpus (Berk and Br.) Heim

Spread of this fungus is quite striking; they are abundantly present in the termites disused nests. Cap- 1.9cm

in diameter; umbonate, yellowish grey in the margin; olive in the centre; Stipe long-5.2 cm., more or less

straight, white, a part of it is inside the soil,nearly3.2 cm.;basidia clavate, basidiospores 4 in number,

smooth, hyaline, ellipsoidal 6.5- 7 x 3-4 μm;spore print white or grey.

Tricholoma terreum(Scaeff. Fr.) Kummer

Fruit body solitary, pileus 2.5-5.6 cm. in diameter, bell-shaped, slightly umbonate, grayish, marginincurved,

fleshy; gills greyishwhite, broad, thick; basidiospores ellipsoidal, 6.4-7.3x3.2-4.4μm. Edible ; With a mild

taste, the species is regarded as a good edible.

Calvatia gigantia(Batsch ex.Pers.) Llyod.

Diameter of the sporophore 15cm.-20cm. exoperidium leathery, smooth, white for along period; gradually

turning yellowish brown; spongy inside; at the top portion the sporophore splits gleba greenish yellow;

spores globose, 3.3-5.2μm in diameter; spores ornamented sharp spines. Specimens at young stage are

consumed.

Ganoderma lucidum(Leys ex Fr.)Karsten

WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS OF WESTERN ASSAM

622

Pileus 6-22cm wide, mostly kidney shaped or circular, flate, concentrically grooved, with shining blood red

varnished crust, some times almost black; but some times colourless; stipitate or sessile; 15.2 cm. long

stipe with irregular pseudosclerotia buried deep in the substratum(in soil or dead wood logs or living

deciduous trees; with poroid hymenium; pore minute,165μm wide, spores –brown,ovate,warty, rough,11-

13.5 x 6-7.5μm.

Laetiporus sulphureus(Fr.)Murr

Bracket like fruiting body growing on Psidium guava plant and in dead wood logs sessilepileus dull yellow

to when young, pale white in maturity; hymenial portion yellowish, pore tubes present 0.3-0.4cm.long, more

or less elliptical; Basidia sub-clavate, basidiospores 6.2-7.2x5.0-5.3μm.

Lentinus edodes(Berk) Pelger

Fruiting body solitary,centrally stipitate, substratum dead wood logs of cassia fistula, Pileus 3.3-14 cm. in

diameter, convex, subumbonate to depress, withsmooth surface, in young stage the-margin incurved; at

maturity –decurved; gills whitish at first, later reddish brown tint; spore print white; stipe 3.3 -7.3mmwide;

central to eccentric; subcylindric, poorely developed veils, volva abscent; Basidia clavate,16.2-24.5 x4.8-

5.9μm;basidiospores 7.25-8.5x5.2-6.7more or less ellipsoid, hyaline, spore wall thin.

Lentinus cladopus Lev.

Fruiting body found in decaying stumps and the roots of trees,cap-2.2-7.6 cm.in diameter, central portion is

depressed, funnel shaped, large scales present at the centre and the smaller towards the margin; creamish

white at young stage gradually yellowish at maturity; gills crowded, decurrent; spore print white,; stipe2.2-

10.2 mm long; annulus and volva absent; basidia clavate, 4-spored.

Lentinus sajor cajo(Fr.)Fr.

The fruiting body colour pale white, brown, extremely tough, stalk central in position,4-8 cm long;0.5-1.7

cm. in diameter; eccentric, solid and cylindric, annulus present ,often lost at maturity volva absent; basidia

clavate with 4-basidiospores;basidiospores-6.4-8.0x2.5-4.5μm;pleurocystidia absent; cylindrical, smooth,

hyaline, thin walled, well developed, solitary, stipitate, growing in dead wood logs which are mostly

composed; pileus 3.5-15.0cm., margin of cap rolled in drying condition.

Lenzites betulina(L)Fries.

Fruiting body-2-10cm.width,0.5-2.0cm.thick;sessile,fan shaped, concentrically zoned, pale cream to greyish

brown; gills- white, well spaced radiating from point of attachment, tough; Basidiospores-4-5.5x1.5-2.1μm,

smooth, cylindrical or bean shaped, spore print white; cystidia absent, non edible.

Lycoperdon pyriforme (schaeff.)

Fruiting body-1-4.5cm across, solitary, globose or pyriform, mealy granules cover the exoperidium,

endoperidium greyish brown, smooth, whitish to greyish brown; angiocarpic, gleba white, soft, fleshy at

young stage, brown cottony at later stage; spores olive brown, spores 2.5-4.5μm. Edible when young.

Morchella esculenta (L) Pers.

Ellipsoidal head of the fruit body; apothecium forms depressions that are fertile with the sterile ridges in

between,5.08-7.0 cm.tall colour pale brown to dark brown, stem as long as the cap, hollow ;Grows in woods

and amongst the grasses. Edible.

Schizophyllum commune (Fries)

Fruiting bodies leathery, cap grayish, white, fan shaped, ranging from 1 cm. -4 cm. broad, lobed, deeply

cleft, attached to the substratum laterally; gills grayish–violet radiating from the point of attachment,

basidium normal, spore print white, spores 5.5-6.5x2.5-3.5μm, cystidia absent. Edible.

DISCUSSION

In Western Assam, the result of the survey concluded that Auricularia auricula, A.delicata, A. polytricha,

T. C. SARMA et al.,

623

Agaricus bisporus, A.campestries, A. sylvetica, Boletus edulis, B.luteus,Calvatia gigantia, Cantheralluscibarius, C.tubaeformis, Ganoderma lucidum, Lentinus edodes, L.cladopus, L.ostreatus, Laetiporus sulphureus,Lycoperdon pyriforme, Morchella esculanta, Schizophyllum commune, Termitomyces clypeatus, T.mammiformies, T. robustus, T. microcarpus, Tricholoma terreum were good for edible purpose. WhereasCantharellus tubaeformis and C. cibarius (Table 1, Plate-1) were considered to be the best amongst them.Similarly, Tricholoma terreum, Marasmius oreades, Laetiporus sulphureus, Lentinus edodes, Lentinus cladopus,Lentinus sajor cajo, Morchella esculenta, Schizophyllum commune were good for edible purpose whileCalvatia gigantia and Lycoperdon pyriforme are edible at their young stage. Similarly, Auricularia auricula,Auricularia delicata, Auricularia polytricha were considered as edible but not very much tasty. On the other

hand, the Garo people used Auricularia auricula (Table: 1, Plate-7) in some sorts of ailments like rheumatic

pain and some injuries.Though Lenzites betulina is very much available but not consumed by these tribes.

Garos and Bodos dwelling near by hilly region of the forest area also do not prefer Marasmius oreades. It

has been observed that people living in mountainous areas preferred wood-inhabiting fungi while those living

in plains preferred the species growing on soil (viz. Termitomyces clypeatus, T.mammiformies, T.robustus,

T.microcarpus, Lentinus edodes, L.cladopus, L.ostreatus). Cantharellus cibarius was found to be most delicious

and highly preferred species in all the sites of Western Assam. The species of Cantharellus are rich in

vitamin c. Though it has insecticidal properties but the local people are not aware of this fact. However,

Adivashi people are very much fond of mushrooms. They prefer some of the wood decaying mushrooms viz.

Laetiporus sulphureus, Lentinus sajor cajo, Calvatia gigantia, Cantherallus cibarius, C.tubaeformis,

Schizophyllum commune.

The Rajbanshi people are also consuming many of these macrofungi, still they are less habituated in taking

these mushrooms in comparison to the Garos and Bodos as they are more developed than those of the other

tribes living in this area. There are some types of mushrooms like Ganoderma lucidum which have medicinal

properties (Chang and Bushwell, 1999). But the medicinal use of mushrooms among the tribes of Western

Assam was scarce.

Identification of non poisonous mushrooms is a major point in mushroom study. There is very little reportavailable on mushroom poisoning or about deaths resulting from consumption of poisonous mushrooms fromWestern Assam. Both the traditional and modern knowledge of mushrooms does not define any type of hardand fast rule for the identification of edible and poisonous forms of mushrooms (Adhikari, 2000, 2004 and

2005). But the inhabitants of Western Assam can distinguish the poisonous and nonpoisonous type of mushrooms.

CONCLUSION

The identification and use of wild edible mushrooms play a vital role in enrichment of the socio- economic

life of the tribal people. Besides their consumption, the use of mushrooms in folk medicines also paves the

way for the upbringing new industries.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors are very much grateful to Prof .S. P. Bora, the Head of the Dept. of Botany, Gauhati University,

Guwahati for providing laboratory facilities. We would like to express sincere gratitude to Prof. S. K.

Borthakur for his inspiration to undertake this piece of work.

REFERENCE

Adhikari, M. K. 2000. Mushrooms of Nepal. P. U. Printers, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Adhikari, M. K. 2004. Mushroom poisoning and its state in Nepal. In Plant Resources Bulletin No. 25: Department

of Plant Resources Kathmandu, Nepal. pp. 56-58.

Adhikari, M. K., Devkota, S. and Tiwari, R. D. 2005. Ethnomycolgical Knowledge on Uses of Wild Mushrooms

in Western and Central Nepal. Our Nature. 3: 13-19.

Bakshi, B. K. 1971. Indian Polyporaceae( On tree and Timber), ICAR, New Delhi.

WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS OF WESTERN ASSAM

624

Baruah, H. K., Sing, D. K. and Islam, M. 1971. On the distribution of higher Basidiomycetes in the Sibsagar

district, Assam, Bull. Bot. Surv. India. 13(3 & 4): 285-289.

Bondarstev, A. S. 1953. The Polyporaceae of European part of USSR and Cancasus. Leningradd.

Bulakh, E. M. 2001. Medicinal Mushrooms of the Russian far east in nature. Int. J. Medicinal Mushrooms. 3:

125.

Chamberlain, M. 1996. Ethnomycological experiences in South West China. The Mycologist 10: 173-176.

Chang, S. T. and Buswell, J. A. 1999. Ganoderma Lucidum, a mushrooming Medicinal ushroom. Int.J. Med.

Mushrooms.1-139-146.

Chang, S. and Miles G. P. 2004. Mushrooms: Cultivation, nutritional value, medicinal effects and

environmental impact. CRC Press, USA. p.436.

Chang, Y. S. and Lee, S. S. 2004. Utilization of macrofungi species in Malaysia. Fungal Diversity 15: 15-22.

Cowan, A. 2001. Fungi – Life Support for Ecosystems. Essential ARB 4: 1-5.

Crous, P. W. 2006. How many species of Fungi are there in tip of Africa. Studies in Mycology 55: 13.

Dickinson, C. and Lucas, J. 1982. the colour Dictionary of Mushrooms ORIES publishing, London.

Didukh, I. A. 2001. Mushrooms in Folk Medicine of Eastern Slavs. Int. J. Med.Mushrooms; 3-135.

Garnweidner, E. 1996. Mushrooms and Toadstools, Harper Collins Publisher, Munich. González-Elizondo, M.

1991. Ethnobotany of the southern Tepehuan of Durango, Mexico: I. Edible mushrooms. J. Ethnobiology 1: 165-

173.

Harsh, N. S. K., Rai, B. K.Ayachi, S. S. 1993. Forest Fungi and Tribal Economy-A Case Study in Baiga tribe

of Madhya Pradesh( India):Jr. of Tropical Forestry. 9: 270-279.

Hawksworth, D. L., Kirk P. M., Sutton B. C. and Pegler D. N. 1995. Ainsorth and Bisby’s dictionary of fungi

8: 624.

Hawksworth, D. L. 2004. Fungal diversity and its Implifications for Genetic Resource collections. Studies in

Mycology 50: 19

Higgins, V (Ed), (Else and HVASS, H) Hahnewald, E. 1972. Mushrooms and Toadstools (in colour): p. 156.

Harkonen, M., Buyck, B., Saarimäki, T. and Mwasumbi, L. 1993. Tanzanian mushrooms and their uses l.

Russula. Karstenia 33: 11-50.

Jones, E. B. and Whalley, J. 1994. A fungus foray to Chiang Mai market in northern Thailand.The Mycologist

8: 87-90.

Jonathan, S.G and Fasidi, I. O. 2003. Antimicrobial activities of two Nigerian edible macro-fungi Lycoperdon

pusilum (Bat. Ex) and L. giganteum

Laferriare, J. E. and Gilbertson, R. L. 1990. A New species of Albatrellus (Aphyllophorales: Albatrellaceae

from Mexico. Mycotaxon. 37: 183- 186.

Manoharachary C, Sridhar K, Singh R, Adholeya, Suryanarayanan, T. S, Rawat S. and Johri B. N.

2005. Fungal Biodiversity: Distribution, Conservation and Prospecting of Fungi from India. Current Science 89

(1): 58-71.

Moreno-Black, G., Akanan, W, Somnasang, P., Thamathawan, S. and Brozvosky, P. 1996. Non domesticated

food resources in the marketplace and marketing system of northeastern Thailand. J. Ethnobiology. 16: 99-117.

Nilson, S and Persoon O 1978. Fungi of Northern Europe. I Penguin Book, New Zealand.

Oso, B. A. 1977. Mushrooms in Yoruba Mythology and medicinal practices. Economic Botany. 31: 367-371.

Overholt, I. O. 1953. The Polyporaceae of The United States, Alaska and Canada. Oxford Univ. Press.

Ozturk, C. Kasik, G. Dogan, H. H. and Aktas, S. 2003. Macrofungi of Alanya district. Turk. J. Bot

27: 303.

Peck, C. H. 1873. Descriptions of new species of fungi, Bull Buffalo Soc Nat Sci 1: 41-72.

Pilz, D., Smith, J., Amaranthus, M. P., Alexander, S., Molina, R., and Louma, D. 1999. Mushrooms and

timber: Managing commercial harvesting in the Oregon Cascades. J. Forestry. 97: 4-11.

Prance, G. T. 1984. The use of edible fungi by Amazonian Indians In: Ethnobotany in the Neotropics (eds. G.T.

P d M K ll ki) Ad i E i B 1 USA 127 139

T. C. SARMA et al.,

625

Purkayastha, R. P. and A. Chandra 1985. Manual of Indian edible mushrooms. Jagendra Book Agency, New

Delhi, India.

Roy, A. and De, A. B. 1996. Polyporaceae of India, International Book Distributors Dehradun.

Roberto Garibay-Orijel1, J., Cifuentes, Estrada-Torres, A. and Caballero, J. 2005. Fungal Biodiversity,

People using macro-fungal diversity in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Redhead, S. A. 1997. The pine mushroom industry in Canada and the United States: Why it exists and where it is

going. In: Mycology in Sustainable Development: expandingconcepts, vanishing borders. (Eds. M.E. Palm and

I.H. Chapela). Parkway Publishers, USA. 15-54.

Rai, B.K., Ayachi, S.S. and Rai, A. 1993. A note on Ethno-myco-medicines from central India.The Mycologist

7: 192-193.

Ryvarden, L.and Johansen, J. 1980. A Preliminary Polypore Flora of East Africa, Fungiflora, Oslo, Norway.

Sharma, J. R. 2000. Genera of Indian Polypores.Botanical Survey of India, Ministry of Environment and Forest,

Botanical Survey of India.

Sing, N.I.and Sing, S.M. 1993. Edible Fleshy Fungal Flora of Manipur-Bioveel 4(2): 153-158.

Sing, Sing, N. I., Sing, S. M. and Th, C. 2002. Fleshy Fungi of Manipur in “Plant Genetic

Diversity: Exploaration, Evaluation, Conservation(Eds.) S.P. Vij; K, Kondo; M.L.Sharma; Ashish Gupta. Afficiated

East West Press Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi pp, 9-13.

Smith, A. H. 1963. The Mushroom hunter’s field guide. University of Michigan press, Annarbor. p.67.

Stojchev, G. 1995. New fungi for Bulgaria. Higher Institute of Agriculture-Plovdiv, Jubilee Scientific Session. IV

(1): 229-232.

Susan, M. and Van, M. 1992. Texas Mushrooms, University of Texas press, Texas. p. 349

Syed Abrar, Swapna, S. and Krishnappa, M. 2007. Dictyophora cinnabarina. Current Science 92 (9): 1219–

1220.

Vaidya, J. G. and Rabba, A. S. 1993. Fungi in folk medicine. The Mycologist 7: 131-133.

Zoberi, M. H. 1972. Tropical Macrofungi: Some Common Species:pp.1-153

WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS OF WESTERN ASSAM

626