John Miller
There are over 14,000 types of fungi that produce mushrooms, and some of them are very rare. Rare mushrooms are often distinguished by their unusual appearance, scarce locations, and unique growing needs. Some rare mushrooms are sought after for their culinary, medicinal, and aphrodisiac qualities, while others are toxic and dangerous. Due to their rarity, certain mushrooms can be extremely expensive, with prices ranging from $600 to $50,000 per pound. Here are some examples of rare mushrooms:
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What You'll Learn
- The Devil's Cigar mushroom is rare and found in select locations in Texas and Japan
- The Amanita mushroom is rare and only found in Argentina and Chile
- The pink waxcap mushroom is rare and found in Great Britain
- The stinkhorn mushroom is rare and found in North America, Europe, and Asia
- The Yartsa Gunbu or Cordyceps mushroom is rare and found in the Himalayas
The Devil's Cigar mushroom is rare and found in select locations in Texas and Japan
There are over 14,000 types of fungi that produce mushrooms, with some being very common and others extremely rare. One such rare mushroom is the Devil's Cigar, which is found only in select locations in Texas and Japan.
The Devil's Cigar mushroom, or Chorioactis geaster, is a unique and mysterious fungus. It gets its name from its resemblance to a bloated cigar in both form and colour. As it matures, it peels back, resembling a blossoming flower of death. This process releases spores and a strange hissing sound, eventually forming a dull-coloured, star-shaped mushroom. Devil's Cigar mushrooms are not poisonous, but they are inedible.
The distribution of the Devil's Cigar mushroom is puzzling to scientists. It has only been found in Texas, Oklahoma, and Japan, with the majority of sightings occurring in Texas and Kyushu, Japan. The fungus was first discovered in Austin, Texas, in 1893 and later in Kyushu, Japan, in 1937. In 2006, it was spotted again in Japan, this time in a forest in the Nara Prefecture. The Devil's Cigar was also recently sighted in Oklahoma in 2017, marking the first time it was found outside of Texas in North America.
The natural habitat of the Devil's Cigar in Japan is threatened by deforestation and the replanting of oak trees with Japanese cedar trees. Conservationists are working to protect the species in Japan, as its habitat in Texas may also be at risk due to industrialization. Despite its rarity, the Devil's Cigar mushroom was designated as the official state mushroom of Texas in 2021.
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The Amanita mushroom is rare and only found in Argentina and Chile
There are over 14,000 types of fungi that create mushrooms, and some are rarer than others. One such rare mushroom is the Amanita mushroom, which is native to Argentina and Chile. This mushroom is so rare that there are only about 600 mature individuals worldwide. It is also listed as \"vulnerable\" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Amanita mushrooms are known for their distinctive appearance, with a bright red cap covered with white warts. They are part of the Amanita genus, which includes some of the most toxic mushrooms in the world. In fact, the Amanita species is responsible for approximately 95% of mushroom-related fatalities worldwide. While the toxicity of the Amanita mushroom found in Argentina and Chile is not well-known, experts advise against consuming it due to its vulnerable status and the potential risks associated with the Amanita genus.
The Amanita mushroom is also unique in its life cycle. Unlike most mushrooms, it evolves into truffles that grow underground. These truffles have a white, ruffled appearance, resembling a golf ball. The Amanita mushroom typically grows in the Nothofagus forests of Argentina and Chile. However, these forests face threats such as deforestation, forest fires, and volcanic activity, which further contribute to the rarity of this mushroom.
The discovery of the Amanita mushroom in Argentina and Chile has surprised the scientific community and highlighted the incredible diversity of the Kingdom Fungi. Each year, mycologists discover up to 2,000 new species of fungi globally, and it is estimated that there could be between 2.2 and 3.8 million species on Earth, with only 8% scientifically documented so far. This vast kingdom encompasses a wide range of shapes, colours, and ecological roles, with some fungi even growing on salt!
While the Amanita mushroom may be rare and challenging to find, it serves as a reminder of the fascinating and diverse world of fungi that remains to be explored and understood.
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The pink waxcap mushroom is rare and found in Great Britain
There are over 14,000 types of fungi that produce mushrooms, with some being very common and others quite rare. Many are safe to eat, but some are toxic. The pink waxcap mushroom, also known as the ballerina waxcap, is one such rare species. It is found in the grasslands of Great Britain, particularly in Western England, Wales, and Ireland. This fungus is characterised by its pale pink cap, which is flared and radially split, resembling a pirouetting ballet dancer wearing a pink tutu.
The pink waxcap is considered vulnerable and is internationally protected under the Bern Convention. It is also included on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This fungus prefers to grow in unimproved fields and pastures, verges, and churchyards, and is often found alongside other coloured wax caps. While it is edible, it is recommended that people do not pick or consume it due to its rarity and the potential impact on its population.
The pink waxcap is part of the Hygrocybe genus, which is named for the moist nature of the fungi within this group. The specific epithet "calyptriformis" refers to the shape of its cap, which is thin and hood-like. These mushrooms are quite distinctive and easy to identify, but they should be left untouched to preserve their population.
The best time to see pink waxcaps in full bloom is during late summer and early autumn. At this time, they can be found standing alone in tall grass, with their caps split and turned upwards. While they may not be worth eating in terms of taste, they are certainly a beautiful and unique sight to behold in the wild.
Overall, the pink waxcap mushroom is a rare and fascinating species of fungus found in Great Britain. Its vulnerable status underscores the importance of conservation efforts to protect and preserve this distinctive member of the mushroom family.
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The stinkhorn mushroom is rare and found in North America, Europe, and Asia
Mushrooms are the fruiting portion of fungi, and there are over 14,000 types of fungi that create mushrooms worldwide. Some mushrooms are very common, while others are rare. Many are safe to eat, but some are toxic.
The stinkhorn mushroom is one such rare mushroom. It is found in eastern North America, Europe, and Asia. In North America, it is most commonly found west of the Mississippi River, while Ravenel's stinkhorn is more common in the east. The fungus is associated with rotting wood and is therefore most commonly found in deciduous woods, though it may also be found in conifer woods or grassy areas such as parks and gardens.
The stinkhorn mushroom is known for its foul odour, which resembles the stink of uncleaned litter boxes or carrion. The mushroom's spores are contained in a sticky spore mass on its tip, which produces this sharp, sickly-sweet smell to attract flies and other insects that help disperse the spores. The stinkhorn is also characterised by its phallic shape when mature, giving rise to names like "dog penis" and "devil's dipstick".
The immature stinkhorn, or "witch's egg", is edible and consumed cooked in parts of Europe. It is whitish or pinkish, egg-shaped, and typically 4 to 6 cm by 3 to 5 cm. The outer layer is thick and whitish, while the inner layer can be cut out with a knife and eaten raw; it has a crisp texture and a radish-like taste. However, the mature stinkhorn is not usually consumed due to its strong smell.
Stinkhorn mushrooms are among the fastest-growing in the world, extending by 5mm per minute, and can even grow through asphalt. They are also unpredictable and hard to spot as they do not grow in the same spot each year.
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The Yartsa Gunbu or Cordyceps mushroom is rare and found in the Himalayas
There are over 14,000 types of fungi that create mushrooms, and some are rarer than others. The Yartsa Gunbu mushroom, also known as Cordyceps sinensis, is one such rare mushroom. It is found in the meadows above 3,500 meters (11,500 ft) in the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayan regions of Bhutan, India, and Nepal.
Ophiocordyceps sinensis, or Cordyceps sinensis, is an entomopathogenic fungus, meaning it grows on insects. Specifically, it parasitizes the larvae of ghost moths and produces a fruiting body. In traditional Chinese medicine, this mushroom is valued as an aphrodisiac, and it has also been used as a status symbol in China. Its name in Chinese, dōng chóng xià cǎo (冬蟲夏草), translates to "winter worm, summer grass," reflecting its nature as a fungus that grows on insects.
The Yartsa Gunbu mushroom has a long history, with records of its use dating back to the 15th century. Its reputation as an aphrodisiac was first mentioned in a Tibetan medicinal text from that time, titled "An Ocean of Aphrodisiacal Qualities." The demand for this mushroom has led to violence and overexploitation, threatening the fragile alpine habitat in which it grows.
The price of Yartsa Gunbu has increased dramatically, reflecting its rarity and perceived value. In 2012, a pound of top-quality Yartsa Gunbu reached retail prices of $50,000, making it the world's most expensive fungus. The high value of this mushroom has had a significant socioeconomic impact on the mountain communities in the Himalayas, improving their income and transforming their lives. However, the challenge of finding this rare mushroom remains, as it does not grow in the same spot every year, making it unpredictable and hard to spot.
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Frequently asked questions
Some rare mushrooms include the Devil's Cigar, the Eastern Cauliflower, the Amanita, the Ballerina Waxcap, the Lion's Mane, the Indigo Milk Cap, and the Yartsa Gunbu.
Rare mushrooms can be found in various regions around the world, including Japan, Texas, Argentina, Chile, Great Britain, India, and the Himalayas. Some rare mushrooms, like the Eastern Cauliflower, can be found in multiple regions, while others, like the Devil's Cigar, are limited to only a few specific locations.
Yes, rare mushrooms tend to be expensive due to their scarcity and the challenges associated with cultivating or harvesting them. For example, Yartsa Gunbu can cost upwards of $50,000 per pound, while white truffles can range from $200 to $1,300 per ounce.
It depends on the specific type of mushroom. Some rare mushrooms, like the Cordyceps species, are safe and edible, while others, like the Amanita, are highly toxic and should be avoided. Even if a rare mushroom is edible, it may be advised against consuming it due to its vulnerable status, such as the Ballerina Waxcap.
Mushrooms can be considered rare due to a combination of factors, including their appearance, location, growing needs, and scarcity. Some mushrooms are rare because they have specific growing requirements, such as white truffles, which need a symbiotic relationship with certain trees, specific soil conditions, and a particular climate. Others are rare due to their limited distribution, like the Devil's Cigar, which is only found in select locations in Texas and Japan.
