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American Shiitake
Lentinula boryana is the type species of Lentinula: a neotropical, shiitake-like, white-rot mushroom on dead hardwood. It is genetically distinct from and cannot interbreed with shiitake (L. edodes). In Mexico it grows in mountains at about 1,000–2,000 m. Its sister species L. raphanica differs in micromorphology and ITS sequence and is the species that fruits on the US Gulf Coast.
Edible; American relatives of shiitake are described as comestible. Wild brown mushrooms on wood include dangerous species, so wild collections should be confirmed by an experienced identifier before eating.
Never eat a wild mushroom based on a web page — confirm with an expert.
Mycology is an evolving science: names, classifications and safety information change as research advances. Entries are compiled from cited sources and reviewed, but may be incomplete or out of date — check the sources, and never rely on this library alone to identify or eat a mushroom.
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