Species of Cantharellus are world-renowned edible fungi, capable of forming symbiotic relationships with various plants, including Pinaceae, Fagaceae, and Betulaceae. The genus is mainly characterized by its veined, ridged, or smooth hymenophore and is a crucial taxonomic group in the phylogenetic study of macrofungi. In China, 83 names of Cantharellus species have been recorded, but some of them are inaccurate. Based on extensive specimen collections and comprehensive literature review, combined with morphological observations and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of nrLSU, tef1, rpb2 and SSU, 35 species of Cantharellus present in China are confirmed, and 35 previously reported names are determined to be incorrect and excluded, in addition, 13 species with uncertain distributions are discussed in this study. A geographical distribution map of Cantharellus species in China is presented. This paper provides an important foundation for accurately understanding the species diversity and geographical distribution of Cantharellus in China.

Edible and medicinal fungi are very rich in China. With the continuous deepening research on their species diversity and phylogeny, their species name and taxonomic status are continuously updated. Some species previously reported in China have found to be not existent in China. Some species have proved to be complex species or cryptic species. Previously, the edible and medicinal fungi in China were usually reported in the form of species checklist, and their taxonomic status and species composition were not clearly demonstrated. This article updates the checklist of edible and medicinal fungi in China in the form of species cataloging, with demonstration of their taxonomic status, based on the latest research results. A total of 1 495 species is recorded, belonging to 2 phyla, 10 classes, 29 orders, 115 families, and 353 genera. Among them, 1 013 species are edible, 744 medicinal and 262 simultaneously edible and medicinal. Of which, 33.1% of the species are previously unreported or taxonomically revised. It was found that edible fungi were dominated by species of Agaricales (44%), Russulales (16%) and Boletales (13%) of the Agaricomycetes, as well as Pezizales (6%) of the Pezizomycetes; medicinal fungi were dominated by species of Agaricales (35%), Polyporales (19%), Hymenochaetales (11%), Russulales (7%) and Boletales (7%) of the Agaricomycetes and Hypocreales (6%) of the Sordariomycetes.

Database/Dataset Profile

Inonotus obliquus is a medicinal and edible fungus traditionally used for treating diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hepatitis, and related disorders. In this study, by use of solvent extraction and chromatographic techniques (reversed-phase silica gel, normal-phase silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20), eight compounds were isolated from I. obliquus. Based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic data, these compounds were identified as gallic acid (1), syringic acid (2), caffeic acid (3), 4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one (4), inotodiol (5), cortinellin (6), lanosterol (7), and peroxide ergosterol (8). Anti-allergic activity assays demonstrated that inotodiol (5) significantly inhibited mast cell degranulation at concentrations of 4.96, 9.92, and 15.50 μmol/L, with inhibition rates of 51.03%, 30.53%, and 23.07%, respectively, indicating potent anti-allergic efficacy. Notably, inotodiol (5) exhibited unobserved cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 15.50 μmol/L, highlighting its potential as a candidate for novel anti-allergic drug development.

Nine wild Morchella strains collected from pine forest post-fire area in Yajiang County, Sichuan Province were identified and domesticated. Based on morphological observation and DNA sequence analysis, the tested strains were identified as Morchella eximia. On PDA medium, strain 6278 showed the fastest mycelial growth and formed the most quantity of sclerotia; mycelial growth of YJ082186 was the slowest, and 6288 did not form sclerotia. Under the current cultivation mode, 6751-1 had the highest yield (1.33 kg/m²), and 6288 was next in yield (1.31 kg/m²). Among the nine strains, 6288 showed the best commercial traits, while YJ082176 has the highest density of fruiting, and the basidioma average size of 6283 was the largest. This study laid a foundation for the screening and breeding of M. eximia cultivars.