Pleurotus eryngii

 Scientific classification

Kingdom: Fungi

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Agaricales

Family: Pleurotaceae

Genus: Pleurotus

General information

Common name(s): king trumpet mushroom, French horn mushroom, king oyster mushroom, boletus of the steppes,trumpet royale

Edibility: Edible

Distribution: This species can be found throughout southern Europe, North Africa, central Asia and the southern of former Soviet Union.

Description

Pleurotus eryngii's cap has a convex shape that expands and becomes funnel-shaped when mature and it can grow up to 12 cm in diameter. It's magin is typically inrolled and extends with maturity. Its central, thick, tapering downward stem can reach up to 10 cm in length and its gills are fairly distant, thin, grayish and decurrent. This mushroom species usually grows individually or in small groups.

Natural habitat

This terrestrial species usually grows on Eryngium campestre roots.

Use in medicine:

• chemicals which may stimulate the immune system (in vitro research)

• used to treat Tobacco mosaic virus.

Preparation and Cooking: Stir frying until edges become crispy golden brown. A chewy,

nutty mushroom, this species is far superior to Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus pulmonarius. This mushroom goes well with Italian dishes and especially with lamb, pork and fish.

Sources:

- Stamets, Paul (2000). Growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms.

-  "Mushroom acidic glycosphingolipid induction of cytokine secretion from murine T cells and proliferation of NK1.1 alpha/beta TCR-double positive cells in vitro", Biochem Biophys Res Commun