Hemileccinum indicum

In News:Researchers exploring the temperate forests of the Indian Himalayas have discovered a new mushroom species, named Hemileccinum indicum, in Bageshwar district, Uttarakhand. This is the first record of the genus Hemileccinum in India.

About Hemileccinum indicum

• Type: Newly discovered species of mushroom
• Kingdom: Fungi
• Genus: Hemileccinum
• Species: indicum
• Habitat: Temperate Himalayan forests
• Associated Trees: Oak (Quercus species)

Discovery & Identification

• Found growing under oak trees in Uttarakhand
• Identification confirmed using multigene molecular phylogenetic analysis, which:
• Analyses multiple genes
• Establishes evolutionary relationships
• Confirms taxonomic uniqueness

Morphological Features

1. Bolete mushroom → has pores instead of gills beneath the cap
2. Cap:

• Wrinkled
• Violet-brown initially
• Turns leathery brown with age

1. Pore surface:

• Pastel yellow
• Does not change colour on bruising

1. Spores:

• Contain tiny, intricate pits (microscopic pinholes)

1. Stem:

• Smooth (unlike scaly stems in related species)

Distinctiveness

• Differs from American and Asian relatives which usually have:
• Larger, smooth spores, or
• Scaly stem surfaces

Ecological Significance

1. Ectomycorrhizal fungus
2. Forms a symbiotic relationship with tree roots, especially oak
3. Helps in:

• Nutrient exchange (nitrogen, phosphorus)
• Improving tree growth
• Maintaining forest soil health and resilience

Importance of the Discovery

1. Expands India’s fungal biodiversity records
2. Highlights underexplored Himalayan ecosystems
3. Emphasises the ecological role of fungi in forest sustainability