Termitomyces, the termite mushrooms, is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. All species in the genus are completely dependent on fungus-growing termites, the Macrotermitinae, to survive, and vice versa. They are the food source for these termites, who enjoy an obligate symbiosis with the genus similar to that between Atta ants and Attamyces mushrooms. Termitomyces mushrooms are edible, and are highly regarded for their flavor.

Characteristics

Termitomyces includes the largest edible mushroom in the world, Termitomyces titanicus of West Africa and Zambia, whose cap reaches 1 metre (3.28 ft) in diameter. It also includes Termitomyces microcarpus that grows caps of a few centimeters in diameter. These fungi grow on 'combs' which are formed from the termites' excreta, dominated by tough woody fragments. Termitomyces was described by Roger Heim in 1942. From 1955 to 1969 Arthur French worked in Uganda (as a hobby) on the subject of fungi and termites. Some scientific literature about these fungal species existed previously, but these texts failed to adequately discuss the relationship between termites and their fungal symbiotes, while the various edible varieties were merely termed "termite mushrooms." French conducted some investigations with the help of the elderly Baganda women who gathered termite mushrooms, and published his findings.

Life as a Termitomyces fungus

Some chamber(s) of the nest each contains a structure, called comb or fungus garden, where the fungus dwells. The termites collect and chew up dead wood, leaf litter and other vegetable debris, depositing their primary faeces as new portions of the fungus garden. The fungus grow through the comb. The termites eat spherules and old combs. The fungus forms mushrooms for spreading spores. For most species, the fungus grows long pseudorhizas to the surface of the ground, where mushrooms are formed. For T. microcarpus, the mushrooms grow from fragments of fungus garden that are carried outside the nest by worker termites. When a new termite colony is established, in most cases, the fungus is introduced through the activities of the termites collecting spores from the environment.

Species

, Species Fungorum accepted 52 species of Termitomyces.

Taxonomic identity unknown

Misnomer

Other fungi associated with fungus-growing termites

Fungi of Pseudoxylaria, a subgenus of Xylaria, are found in fungus-growing termite combs. Being weedy and controlled by fungus-growing termites, they flourish when the termite nest is deteriorating or deserted.

Lookalikes

Culinary use

They are foraged in Malaysia known as cendawan busut ("mound mushroom"). Tamil rubber tappers in Selangor long time ago would find a lot of T. schimperi growing in estate environments not long after raining. They are widely eaten across India.