First report of Hericium cirrhatum from Pakistan

Abstract

Hericium cirrhatum, a widespread but locally rare tooth fungus is reported for the first time from Pakistan. This species is characterized by white to cream semicircular basidiomata (usually arranged in tiers) with a granular to slightly spiny sterile upper surface, a fertile under surface with 10–15 mm long pointed spines, and ellipsoid to subglobose basidiospores. Morphological characters and DNA sequence analyses inferred from the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (nrITS) confirm the identity of the taxon.