First record of the occurrence of Pleurotus citrinopileatus Singer on new hosts in Kenya

Abstract

The occurrence of the edible basidiomycete Pleurotus citrinopileatus is reported for the first time in Kenya. The mushroom was collected from the dead logs and branches of Antiaris toxicaria (Pers.) Lesch., Polyscias fulva(Hiern) Harms, and Ficus thoningii Bl. in Kakamega forest. These trees are indigenous and are new hosts for this species. This mushroom is used as food by local communities in Kenya but it has not been documented nor studied. It is used solely as a product of the wild. People collect it and prepare it traditionally with other foods for consumption.