Two New Favolaschia Mushroom Species Found in China

A team led by Yu‑Han Wang and colleagues has described two previously unknown species of the genus Favolaschia (Mycenaceae) from southern and eastern regions of China, broadening our understanding of fungal diversity in these areas.¹

The first species, Favolaschia guangxiensis, was collected on dead bamboo stalks in Guangxi province. Fresh basidiomata are greyish‑white, while spores are broadly ellipsoid measuring 6.2–11 µm long and 4.1–9 µm wide. The second species, Favolaschia microcarpa, is tiny—only 1–3 mm across—and white. Its spores range 6.3–11 × 5.1–9 µm, also broadly ellipsoid to subglobose. Collections were made on Miscanthus spp. and Trachycarpus fortunei trees in southeastern provinces.¹

Both new taxa were distinguished using a combined ITS + nLSU DNA dataset, supplemented with careful morphological observation. The study highlighted subtle differences that had eluded earlier surveys, underscoring how fieldwork paired with molecular tools can uncover hidden biodiversity.¹

“This discovery adds to our understanding of fungal biodiversity in the region,” said one of the authors, noting that the same team previously described three additional Mycenaceae species earlier this year.¹

The research appears in volume 143 of MycoKeys (pages 1–19) under DOI:10.3897/mycokeys.143.212718, published on November 3, 2026 at 10:36 UTC.¹

Beyond cataloguing two new species, the paper offers detailed macro‑ and micro‑morphological descriptions that will aid mycologists worldwide in identifying these mushrooms in future surveys.

Wang et al.’s publication delivers concrete data—species names, morphological measurements, collection sites—and demonstrates how modern techniques refine fungal inventories in understudied regions.