Two New Laccaria Mushroom Species Discovered in Southwest China

Researchers Guo Zhao, Yi‑Han Qu, Li‑Yan Tang, Juan Zhang, Hao‑Nan Suo, Kai‑Yang Niu, Zong‑Long Luo, Han‑Bing Song, and Song‑Ming Tang published a study describing two new species of the ectomycorrhizal genus Laccaria from southwestern China. The paper appears in MycoKeys volume 139 on pages 213–249 with DOI 10.3897/mycokeys.139.175697. It is titled “Species diversity of edible mushrooms III: new species of Laccaria (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) from southwestern China based on morphology and multilocus phylogeny”¹.net].

The first species, Laccaria daliensis, has a pale orange to grayish‑orange pileus and lamellae, while its stipe is distinctly colored. The second, Laccaria violaceonana, displays medium‑sized basidiomata that are deep purple; it possesses an equal stipe with an enlarged base.¹.net]

Phylogenetic analysis was performed using a concatenated dataset comprising internal transcribed spacer ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 rDNA (nrITS), large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nrLSU), RNA polymerase II subunit 2 (rpb2), and translation elongation factor 1‑α (tef1‑α). Nine specimens clustered into four well‑supported clades, confirming two distinct lineages corresponding to the newly described species. This multi‑locus approach reinforced earlier findings that Laccaria is diverse yet under‑documented in East Asia.¹.net]

These discoveries add to the growing understanding of mushroom biodiversity in southwest China. By revealing new edible species within the economically important family Hydnangiaceae, the study highlights the region’s potential for further fungal exploration and could inform conservation efforts aimed at preserving both habitat and culinary resources.¹.net]

Foragers and mycology enthusiasts note that Laccaria species form ectomycorrhizal associations with trees, contributing to forest nutrient cycles. The identification of L. daliensis and L. violaceonana expands the known range of this genus and provides baseline data for future ecological surveys.

In summary, the MycoKeys publication documents two novel Laccaria mushrooms from southwestern China, detailing morphology, phylogeny, and ecological context. These findings underscore the importance of continued fieldwork and molecular analysis in uncovering hidden fungal diversity across biodiverse regions of China.¹.net]