Tricholoma matsutake (S. Ito & S. Imai) Singer
Family: Tricholomataceae
Sangay Shamong,  more...
Tricholoma matsutake image
National Mushroom Centre  
Mata, M., D. Penjor and S. Pradham. 2010. Fungi of Bhutan. National Mushroom Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Thimphu, Bhutan.

Local name: Sangay Shamong

Edibility: Edible

Habitat: Terrestrial mainly in oak and spruce forest in Bhutan and scatted to gregarious.

Description: Cap: 5-20 cm, convex becomes convex or nearly flat with maturity, little sticky, brownish, the margin enrolled. Hymenophore: Gills attached to the stem, crowded, white, developing brown or reddish brown stains and spots with age. Stem: 4-15 cm tall and up to 5 cm thick, more or less equal, or with a slightly tapered base and con-coloured to the cap. Flesh: White, firm and not changing on exposure. Sprint Print: White.

Comments: Tricholoma matsutake is very easy to identify in the forest and it is not easily confuse with other mushroom as it has very distinct appearance and smell of its own. Some people find its smell pungent but some fine it appetizing. It is abundantly found in the forests of in Bumthang and Thimphu but found in forests of  Paro, Gasa (Laya, Lunana geog), Wangdue, and Haa districts too.  Its presence has also been reported in Tashigang (Yangneer).