Isolation, Characterisation and Identification of Amanita orsonii from Kishtwar Region of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Amanita sect. Validae is the most speciose section of subgenus Amanitina. However, to date, no species belonging to this section have been reported from Jammu Kashmir. In the present study, we report Amanita orsonii for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. The species has been found under Abies pindrow in a coniferous-dominated forest. Photographs and detailed morphological descriptions for this species are provided. Statement. As far as the diversity of macro fungi is concerned, significant research has been carried out throughout the world including India but very little has been done in the study area, which is a part of the North western Himalayas and considering the vegetation and climatic characteristics of the area, there is a huge scope that the area would be home to several unique and interesting macrofungal species with high edibility potential along with the need for research on determining the ethno-mycological aspects and extent of exploitation of these mushrooms as a source of food and traditional medicines.