Hypsizygus tessulatus
Hypsizygus tessulatus, the beech mushroom, is a species of gilled mushroom. It grows on hardwood in the wild and is also cultivated as an edible mushroom.
Taxonomy
A radical alternative view based on ITS DNA barcoding is that all members of the genus are the same species.Description
The white to yellow cap is across, convex then flat and sunken. The gills are adnexed to sinuate, fairly close, whitish then cream. The stem is up to long and wide, larger at the base.The flesh is firm and white, with a pungent scent and mild taste. The spore print is white to buff.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to East Asia and common in northern North America. It is found singly and scattered on hardwood, often far above the ground. It is often found on beech trees, hence the common name.Cultivation
The species is cultivated locally in temperate climates in Europe, North America and Australia and sold fresh in supermarkets.Two commercial variations are known from Japan:Buna-shimeji, wild type brown coloration. Known as brown beech mushroom, beech mushroom, brown clamshell mushroom;Bunapi-shimeji is a white UV-induced mutant of the former, known as white beech mushroom, white clamshell mushroom. The original strain is registered by Hokto Corporation.