View source for Pleurotus nebrodensis

{{Short description|Species of fungus}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Pleurotus nebrodensis 30057.jpg
| status = CR
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name= "redlist"/>
| genus = Pleurotus
| species = nebrodensis
| authority = (Inzenga) [[Lucien Quélet|Quél.]]
}}
{{mycomorphbox
| name = Pleurotus nebrodensis
| whichGills = decurrent
| capShape = depressed
| capShape2=offset
| hymeniumType=gills
| stipeCharacter=bare
| ecologicalType=saprotrophic
| sporePrintColor=white
| howEdible=choice}}
'''''Pleurotus nebrodensis''''', [[common name|commonly]] known as {{lang|scn|funcia di basilicu}} "fungus of [[Prangos ferulacea|basilisk]]" or {{lang|scn|carduncieddu di macchia}} "[[Maquis shrubland|macchia]] carduncieddu(?)", is a [[fungus]] that was declared by the [[IUCN]] as [[critically endangered]] in 2006.<ref name= "redlist"/> This fungus only grows on [[limestone]] in northern [[Sicily]] in association with ''[[Cachrys ferulacea]]'' (family [[Apiaceae]]).<ref name= "redlist"/> The characteristics of the mushroom are its creamy white to yellow colour, its diameter of between {{convert|5|and|20|cm|0|sp=us}}, its extremely angled gills, and the breaking apart of the cap surface at maturity.
==Taxonomy==
The first record of the mushroom was in 1866 by Italian botanist Giuseppe Inzenga, who named it ''Agaricus nembrodensis''; it was described as "the most delicious [[mushroom]] of the Sicilian mycological [[flora]]".<ref name=mushnews/> This was widely agreed upon, which has led to widespread cultivation, by professionals and amateurs. In 1886, French mycologist [[Lucien Quélet]] transferred the species to the genus ''[[Pleurotus]]''.  Recent research has shown that ''P. nebrodensis'' is closely related to, but unique from, ''[[Pleurotus eryngii]]'', which also occurs in the [[Mediterranean Basin]] and is also associated with plants in the family Apiaceae.<ref name=zerv01/>
==Decline==
''Pleurotus nebrodensis'' was classified as [[critically endangered]] because it is found in an area of less than {{convert|100|km2|sp=us}}, and the population has become fractured.<ref name= "redlist"/> In addition, there are not as many mature fungi, and it is losing its natural habitat. An additional reason for the decline is that collectors are now picking unripe specimens. It is currently estimated that fewer than 250 ''Pleurotus nebrodensis'' reach maturity every year.<ref name=sustain/>
==Conservation==
Currently there are no [[laws]] to protect ''Pleurotus nebrodensis''.<ref name= "redlist"/> Even in protected areas there has not been a ban on picking of unripe specimens. However, a draft of rules has been created, and could be approved. This draft proposes protecting all ages of the ''Pleurotus nebrodensis'' in one part of [[Madonie Park]], a sanctuary, while in another section of the park it will protect any non-mature [[mushroom]]. In addition to this, this fungus is being grown, like a [[crop]], to reduce the strain on the wild population.<ref name= "redlist"/>  These fungi that are [[fungiculture|cultivated]] for conservation are produced in tunnels that are covered by black nets. These cultivated fungi have the same flavor and aroma as the wild specimens.<ref name= "redlist"/>
==See also==
* [[List of Pleurotus species|List of ''Pleurotus'' species]]
==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name= "redlist">{{cite iucn |author=Venturella, G. |date=2016 |title=''Pleurotus nebrodensis'' ssp. ''nebrodensis'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T61597A102952148 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T61597A102952148.en |access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref>
<ref name=mushnews>{{cite journal| title=''Pleurotus eryngii'' and ''P. nebrodensis'': from the wild to commercial production| author=Alma E. Rodriguez Estrada| author2=Daniel J. Royse| name-list-style=amp| journal=Mushroom News|date=February 2008| url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Pleurotus+eryngii+and+P.+nebrodensis%3A+from+the+wild+to+commercial...-a0176049778}}</ref>
<ref name=sustain>Venturella, Giuseppe, Georgios Zervaki, and Francesco M. Raimondo. [http://www.nerium.net/plantaeuropa/Download/Oral_Presentations/Venturella_p.pdf "Mycology in sustainable development: the case of ''Pleurotus nebrodensis'' (Pleurotaceae) from Sicily (southern Italy)."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718162527/http://www.nerium.net/plantaeuropa/Download/Oral_Presentations/Venturella_p.pdf |date=2011-07-18 }} Department of Botany, University of Palermo, Institute of Kalamata. Address.</ref>
<ref name=zerv01>{{cite journal| title=Genetic polymorphism and taxonomic infrastructure of the ''Pleurotus eryngii'' species-complex as determined by RAPD analysis, isozyme profiles and ecomorphological characters| first1=Georgios I.| last1=Zervakis| first2=Giuseppe| last2=Venturella| first3=Kalliopi| last3=Papadopoulou| journal=Microbiology| volume=147| year=2001| pages=3183–3194| issue=11| doi=10.1099/00221287-147-11-3183| doi-access=free| pmid=11700370}}</ref>
}}
==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{IndexFungorum|168802}}
* {{MycoBank|168802}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1936172}}
[[Category:Pleurotaceae]]
[[Category:Fungi of Europe]]
[[Category:Edible fungi]]
[[Category:Carnivorous fungi]]
[[Category:Flora of Sicily]]
[[Category:Biota of Italy]]
[[Category:Taxobox binomials not recognized by IUCN]] <!-- Pleurotus nebrodensis -->