Taxonomy, habitat and distribution of medicinal mushrooms: key points for their characterization and exploitation

By

Cirlincione, Fortunato
Cicero, Ilenia
Balenzano, Gaetano
Gargano, Maria Letizia

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-12-1

Original Publication

Neotropical Biology and Conservation

Volume

20

Pages

77--87

Subjects

Distribution , Habitat , medicinal mushrooms , mushroom-based products , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Brazil Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/italianbotanist.20.165144

 

Abstract

A first attempt to provide correct information on taxonomy, habitat, and distribution of 15 taxa considered as “medicinal mushrooms” and widely used in Italy for food, medicine and commercial purposes is here presented. For each taxon, notes on hosts and ecological categories are also provided. Eight taxa are widely distributed throughout Italy, one is endemic to Sicilia, while 5 taxa follow the distribution in Italy of their respective host plants. The study can also ensure appropriate labeling of mushroom-based products on the market being the basis of a proper made-in-Italy supply chain.