Lentinula
Encyclopedia
Lentinula is a small genus
of wood-inhabiting agarics. The neotropical species Lentinula boryana (= L. cubensis) is the type species
. However, the best-known species is L. edodes, the shiitake
. The genus, erected by Franklin Sumner Earle
in 1909, contains eight species, especially in tropical regions.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of wood-inhabiting agarics. The neotropical species Lentinula boryana (= L. cubensis) is the type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
. However, the best-known species is L. edodes, the shiitake
Shiitake
The Shiitake is an edible mushroom native to East Asia, which is cultivated and consumed in many Asian countries, as well as being dried and exported to many countries around the world. It is a feature of many Asian cuisines including Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai...
. The genus, erected by Franklin Sumner Earle
Franklin Sumner Earle
Franklin Sumner Earle was an American mycologist. He was the first mycologist to work at the New York Botanical Garden, and was the author of The Genera of North American Gill Fungi .-References:...
in 1909, contains eight species, especially in tropical regions.
Species
- Lentinula aciculospora
- Lentinula boryana
- Lentinula edodes
- Lentinula guarapiensis
- Lentinula lateritia
- Lentinula novae-zelandiae
- Lentinula raphanica
Further reading
- Guzman G, Salmones D, Tapia F. (1997). Lentinula boryana: morphological variations, taxonomic position, distribution and relationships with Lentinula edodes and related species. Reports of the Tottori Mycological Institute 35:1–28. (abstract)