Tricholoma magnivelare (Peck) Redhead
Trans. Mycol. Soc. Japan 25(1): 6. 1984.

Common Name: Matsutake

Synonym: Armillaria ponderosa

• Pileus

  Cap 5-25 cm broad, convex to plano-convex, margin inrolled at first, upturned in age; surface dry to subviscid when moist, white when young, developing yellow to orange or brownish stains in age; flesh thick, white; odor distinctly fragrant.

• Lamellae

  Gills white, spotted brown in age, crowded, adnate to adnexed to sinuate.

• Stipe

  Stipe 4-15 cm long, 1-6 cm broad, solid, equal; flesh tough, white, developing similar colors as the cap; veil sheathing from the base, thick, white, forming a cottony annulus.

• Spores

  Spores 5-7 X 4.5-5.5 µm, subglobose to short elliptical, non-amyloid, smooth. Spore print white.

• Habitat

  Scattered to gregarious in soil or duff under tanbark oak, madrone and pine; from late fall to mid-winter.

• Edibility

  Edible and highly prized by many for its large size and fragrant aroma. Some eat it raw in salads, while others prefer it cooked.

• Comments

  Called Armillaria ponderosa in older field guides, Tricholoma magnivelare is recognized by its large size, white color which bruises orange-brown, a sheathing cottony veil, and spicy odor. It occurs more commonly in the Pacific Northwest, where it is harvested commercially, than in the S.F. Bay Area.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Tom Duffy: Tricholoma magnivelare (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik: Tricholoma magnivelare (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Tricholoma magnivelare (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Tricholoma magnivelare (CP) -- The Matsutake is open spotting barely showing through the soil--even less so than this young button
  • Michael Wood: Tricholoma magnivelare (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik -- Hunting for Mushrooms: Tricholoma magnivelare (CP)
  • Eileen's Mushroom Mania: Tricholoma magnivelare (CP)
  • Nathan Wilson: Tricholoma magnivelare (CP)
  • Tom Volk's Fungus of the Month: Tricholoma magnivelare (D & CP)
  • Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network: Tricholoma magnivelare (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 191 (D & P), plate 37 (CP) [Armillaria ponderosa]
  • Arora (1991): p. 86 (D & CP)
  • Lincoff: p. 733 (D), plate 213 (CP) [Armillaria ponderosa]
  • McKenny et al.: p. 107 (D & CP) [Armillaria ponderosa]
  • Miller: sp. 106 (D & CP) [Armillaria ponderosa]
  • Phillips: p. 38 (CP), p. 39 (D) [Armillaria ponderosa]
  • Smith: sp. 102 (D & CP) [Armillaria ponderosa]

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)