Wild edible macrofungal species consumed by the Khasi tribe of Meghalaya, India

Abstract

Wild edible macrofungi collected from the forests by the ethnic tribes and sold in the local markets of the Khasi hills of Meghalaya, India have been documented for their traditional knowledge and ethnic relevance. The ethnic tribal population have extensive ethnomycological knowledge based on which they discretely collect and sell the edible macrofungi. We observed considerable diversity among the edible macro-fungal species sold in the local markets. During the study period a total of 11 different species were identified based on their morphology that belonged to 9 genera and 8 families. Clavulina spp. was the most abundantly available species whereas Albatrellus spp. was rarely available in the local markets.