Pleurotus nebrodensis
Encyclopedia
Pleurotus nebrodensis, commonly
known as Funcia di basilicu is a fungus
that was declared by the IUCN as critically endangered
in 2006. This fungus only grows on limestone
in northern Sicily
in association with Cachrys ferulacea (family Apiaceae
). The characteristics of the mushroom are its creamy white to yellow color, its diameter of between 5 and 20 cm (2 and 7.9 ), its extremely angled gills, and the breaking apart of the cap surface at maturity.
of the Silician mycological flora
". This was widely agreed upon, which has led to widespread cultivation, by professionals and amateurs. In 1886, French mycologist Lucien Quélet
transferred the species to the genus Pleurotus
. Recent research has shown that P. nebrodensis is closely related to, but unique from, Pleurotus eryngii
, which also occurs in the Mediterranean Basin
and is associated with plants in the family Apiaceae.
is because it is found in an area of only 100 square kilometres (38.6 sq mi), and the population has become fractured. In addition, there are not as many mature fungi, and it is losing its natural habitat. An additional reason for decline is that collectors are now picking unripe specimens, which has led to species decline. It is currently estimated that only 250 Pleurotus nebrodensis reach maturity every year.
. In addition to this, this fungus is being grown, like a crop
, to reduce the strain on the wild population. These fungi that are cultivated
for conservation are produced in tunnels that are covered by black nets, which provides 90% shade for them. These cultivated fungi have the same flavor and aroma as the wild kinds.
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
known as Funcia di basilicu is a fungus
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
that was declared by the IUCN as critically endangered
Critically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
in 2006. This fungus only grows on limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
in northern Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
in association with Cachrys ferulacea (family Apiaceae
Apiaceae
The Apiaceae , commonly known as carrot or parsley family, is a group of mostly aromatic plants with hollow stems. The family is large, with more than 3,700 species spread across 434 genera, it is the sixteenth largest family of flowering plants...
). The characteristics of the mushroom are its creamy white to yellow color, its diameter of between 5 and 20 cm (2 and 7.9 ), its extremely angled gills, and the breaking apart of the cap surface at maturity.
Taxonomy
The first record of the mushroom was in 1866 by Italian botanist Giuseppe Inzenga, who named it Agaricus nembrodensis; it was described as "the most delicious mushroomMushroom
A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus; hence the word "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that...
of the Silician mycological flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
". This was widely agreed upon, which has led to widespread cultivation, by professionals and amateurs. In 1886, French mycologist Lucien Quélet
Lucien Quélet
thumb|Lucien QuéletLucien Quélet was a French mycologist and naturalist who discovered several species and was the founder of the Société mycologique de France, a society devoted to mycological studies....
transferred the species to the genus Pleurotus
Pleurotus
Pleurotus is a genus of gilled mushrooms which includes one of the most widely eaten mushrooms, P. ostreatus. Species of Pleurotus may be called oyster, abalone, or tree mushrooms, and are some of the most commonly cultivated edible mushrooms in the world...
. Recent research has shown that P. nebrodensis is closely related to, but unique from, Pleurotus eryngii
Pleurotus eryngii
Pleurotus eryngii is an edible mushroom native to Mediterranean regions of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, but also grown in parts of Asia.In Italian it is called cardoncello; in Chinese, it is called xìng bào gū Pleurotus eryngii (also known as king trumpet mushroom, French horn...
, which also occurs in the Mediterranean Basin
Mediterranean Basin
In biogeography, the Mediterranean Basin refers to the lands around the Mediterranean Sea that have a Mediterranean climate, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers, which supports characteristic Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub vegetation...
and is associated with plants in the family Apiaceae.
Decline
P. nebrodensis was classified as critically endangeredCritically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
is because it is found in an area of only 100 square kilometres (38.6 sq mi), and the population has become fractured. In addition, there are not as many mature fungi, and it is losing its natural habitat. An additional reason for decline is that collectors are now picking unripe specimens, which has led to species decline. It is currently estimated that only 250 Pleurotus nebrodensis reach maturity every year.
Conservation
Currently there are no laws to protect Pleurotus nebrodensis. Even in protected areas there has not been a ban on picking of unripe specimens. However, a draft of rules has been created, and could be approved. This draft proposes protecting all ages of the Pleurotus nebrodensis in one part of Madonie Park, a sanctuary, while in another section of the park it will protect any non-mature mushroomMushroom
A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus; hence the word "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that...
. In addition to this, this fungus is being grown, like a crop
Crop
Crop may refer to:* Crop, a plant grown and harvested for agricultural use* Crop , part of the alimentary tract of some animals* Crop , a modified whip used in horseback riding or disciplining humans...
, to reduce the strain on the wild population. These fungi that are cultivated
Fungiculture
Fungiculture is the process of producing food, medicine, and other products by the cultivation of mushrooms and other fungi.The word is also commonly used to refer to the practice of cultivating fungi by leafcutter ants, termites, ambrosia beetles, and marsh periwinkles.- Introduction :Mushrooms...
for conservation are produced in tunnels that are covered by black nets, which provides 90% shade for them. These cultivated fungi have the same flavor and aroma as the wild kinds.
See also
- Edible mushroomEdible mushroomEdible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruiting bodies of several species of fungi. Mushrooms belong to the macrofungi, because their fruiting structures are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand...
s - Flora of ItalyFlora of ItalyThe flora of Italy is the richest in Europe. Traditionally it was estimated to comprise about 5,500 vascular plant species. However, as of 2004, 6,759 species are recorded in the Data bank of Italian vascular flora. About 700 of them are endemic to the country. Geobotanically, the Italian flora is...
- Cuisine of SicilyCuisine of SicilySicilian cuisine shows traces of all the cultures which established themselves on the island of Sicily over the last two millennia. Although its cuisine is predominantly based on Italian cuisine, Sicilian food also has Spanish, Greek and Arab influences....
- SustainabilitySustainabilitySustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...