Phytogeographical and sociolinguistical patterns of the diversity, distribution, and uses of wild mushrooms in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa

A comprehensive inventory of 68 useful wild mushroom species in Côte d’Ivoire reveals significant phytogeographical and sociolinguistical variation in their distribution and utilization. Dominated by food (56 species) and medicinal (16 species) uses, these mushrooms—ranging from saprotrophic to symbiotic types—show distinct preferences across climatic zones, with the highest diversity (41 species) found in the Sudano-Guinean savanna. Key species like Auricularia sp3, Psathyrella tuberculata, and Termitomyces spp. are widely used, highlighting both ecological importance and cultural value. The study underscores the critical role of protected areas as last sanctuaries for these fungi amid rapid habitat loss.

Soro, B., Koné, N. A., Vanié-Léabo, L. P. L., Konaté, S., Bakayoko, A., & Koné, D. (2019). Phytogeographical and sociolinguistical patterns of the diversity, distribution, and uses of wild mushrooms in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-019-0284-5