Catathelasma ventricosum (Peck) Singer
Revue Mycol., Paris 5: 9. 1940.

Common Name: none

Synonym: Lentinus ventricosus Peck

• Habitat

  Fruiting under conifers, especially spruce, in the Pacific Northwest. In California it is known from Del Norte, Humboldt, and Siskiyou counties.

• Edibility

  Very firm texture with mild flavor.

• Comments

  Catathelasma ventricosum is distinguished by large, tough sporocarps with a white to pale grey cap. It could be confused with its close relative, Catathelasma imperiale, which is even larger, with a brownish cap. Catathelasma ventricosum could also be confused with the American matsutake, Tricholoma magnivelare, but it lacks the spicy-sweet odor of that species.

  This species has also been (mis)spelled as Catathelasma ventricosa.

• References

  Castellano, M.A., Cázares, E., Fondrick, B. & Dreisbach, T. (2003). Handbook to additional fungal species of special concern in the Northwest Forest Plan (Gen. Tech Rep. PNW-GTR-572). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: Portland, OR. 144 p. (PDF)
  Desjardin, D.E., Wood, M.G. & Stevens, F.A. (2015). California Mushrooms: The Comprehensive Identification Guide. Timber Press: Portland, OR. 560 p.
  Peck, C.H. (1896). New species of fungi. Bull. Torrey bot. Club 23(10): 411-420. (Protologue)
  

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  Main Photo
  • Michael Wood: Catathelasma ventricosum (CP)
  • Handbook to Additional Fungal Species of Special Concern in the Northwest Forest Plan: Catathelasma ventricosum (D & CP)
  • Mushroom Observer: Catathelasma ventricosum (CP)
  • MushroomExpert.com: Catathelasma ventricosum (D & CP)
  • Arora (1991): p. 85 (D & CP)
  • Lincoff: p. 742 (D), pl. 212 (CP)
  • Miller: sp. 105 (D & CP)
  • Miller & Miller: p. 104 (D & CP)
  • Phillips: p. 57 (D & CP)
  • Smith & Weber: sp. 98 (D & CP)
  
  

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)