Ascopolyporus terraroncaensis (Cordycipitaceae), the “bamboo fruit”: a new edible fungi species from Brazil

Robson Bernardo Silveira-Silva, Lucas Leonardo-Silva & Solange Xavier-Santos

Sydowia 79: 167-175

Published online on August 19th, 2026

Wild edible mushrooms are a valuable nutritional resource, and although Brazil has approximately 409 known edible species, this fungal diversity remains underestimated. Here, we describe a new edible fungal species found in a Cerrado area of central Brazil, locally known as “bamboo fruit,” which is consumed by members of a rural community located within the boundaries of Parque Estadual de Terra Ronca (PETER). The species, named Ascopolyporus terraroncaensis, was described based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of nITS, nLSU, and TEF1-a, and its nutritional composition was thoroughly investigated. Although it shares similarities with other Brazilian species of the genus — A. polychrous, A. villosus, and A. polyporoides — A. terraroncaensis is distinguished by the shape, size, and coloration of its stroma, as well as the absence of a hypothallus. In addition, it has a mildly sweet citrus flavor, which may be related to its high total carbohydrate content. The species also exhibits elevated levels of easily digestible nutrients, as well as the minerals iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), surpassing the values found in widely commercialized species and other Brazilian wild mushrooms, revealing its potential as a new and promising food source. This study contributes to advancing knowledge of Brazilian fungal biodiversity, its potential for food applications, and highlights the importance of valuing the traditional knowledge of rural, traditional, and indigenous communities, while reinforcing the urgent need for public policies aimed at protecting and conserving these territories.

Keywords: Ascomycota, Brazilian Cerrado, nutritional composition, phylogeny, taxonomy.

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