Indian Edible Mushrooms By R. P. Purkayastha

Book Description

PREFACE

While comprehensive lists of Indian fungi exist, information on edible species remains limited. Hundreds of edible fungi thrive across the country, but only a few have been accurately identified, complicating the task for researchers and inexperienced foragers who struggle to distinguish between edible and poisonous varieties. This book aims to compile concise descriptions of Indian edible mushrooms to address this gap. Due to the lack of detailed descriptions for many species, uniformity in presentation has been challenging. To aid in identification, a key and glossary are included, helping users locate these species across India.

We extend our gratitude to Dr. Roy Watling from the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, for his thorough review of the manuscript and for creating the key based on his concepts. Special thanks also to Dr. T. N. Kaul from the Regional Research Laboratory in Srinagar for allowing us to use some of his mushroom photographs. We appreciate Professor A. K. Sharma from Calcutta University for his encouragement. We are indebted to the authors of various consulted works, and we thank the staff of Prabartak Printing & Halftone Ltd. for their support. We acknowledge the limitations of this publication and welcome corrections to any errors noted.

INTRODUCTION

This publication serves anyone interested in edible mushrooms, particularly amateurs and researchers focusing on their distribution in India. While it may seem ambitious to provide a complete account of edible mushrooms in such a diverse country, it represents a preliminary step toward understanding India’s edible mushroom flora.

The study of Indian fungi dates back to the 18th century, with Linnaeus among the first to identify mushrooms from the region. Systematic research began with Dr. E. J. Butler in 1901, culminating in the 1931 monograph "Fungi of India." Lt. Col. Kirtikar was likely the first Indian mycologist to collect and identify local mushrooms. Despite recent fragmentary reports, a comprehensive account of Indian edible fleshy fungi remains lacking. This treatise organizes mushroom names alphabetically for easy reference, providing synonyms and confirming the edibility of species based on authoritative sources. Descriptions focus on the macroscopic characteristics of sporophores, aiming to enhance knowledge of this vital aspect of India’s biodiversity.