Astraeus species- Shimla, Himachal

 

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Fungus for ID AT AUG2016/06 : 12 posts by 3 authors. Attachments (1)
Kindly identify this fungus
Shimla
August, 2016
Vernacular name: Putu or Rugda
Eaten by migrant labourers from Jharkhand.
Can eaten raw or cooked as vegetable.

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Most part of this fungus remains inside the soil. Only a small part emerges out. That’s why, it is difficult to locate for us. But those labourers were expert in locating it. They do not consume Scleroderma sp.

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Habit
This is what it looks like in nature

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nice storyline, … and i really appreciate the human interest and the habitat photos. although i cant really id this for sure, the black spores ???? bother me. reminds me of the balck spores of aspergillus

which are full of aflatoxins … know liver toxins and carcinogens.

I would love to know this idenetity of this mushroom too.

Thank you, … Some people on “Plant Wealth of India” have identified it as “Scleroderma sp.” And I believe that it may not be Scleroderma. I have also clicked Scleroderma at some places.
… has identified it as Rhizopogon sp. on
FungiIndia, which appears convincing. Fungus habit also points towards Rhizopogon sp.

Most part of this fungus remains inside the soil. Only a small part
emerges out. That’s why, it is difficult to locate for us. But those

labourers were expert in locating this fungus. They were eating it raw as well. They do not consume Scleroderma sp.

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My colleague trying to understand, how it can be located on hill slopes. Attachments (1)

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Fruiting body (Basidiocarp) full of Basidiospores
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Can you say anything about this species at Rhizopogon species- Shimla in view of your post on Rhizopogon roseolus ?

scleroderma cepa ??

I think these are unmatured basidiocarps of Astraeus sp. on basis of its edibility as Scleroderma sp. are generally inedible.
However matured fruiting bodies will be really helpful to confirm it..

After looking at its endoperidium i think these can’t be Rhizopogon sp.
I have sent some images to Prof. N.S. Attri ji for authentication. He us out of station and will reply as soon as reaches his Lab in Punjabi university, Patiala