Fungus · GBIF taxon 5241820
Matsutake Mushroom
Tricholoma matsutakeAlso known as Pine Mushroom, Red Pine Mushroom
Matsutake mushrooms form vital mycorrhizal partnerships with conifer roots, exchanging essential soil nutrients for host sugars in subalpine woodland ecosystems. Emerging directly from thick duff layers, these robust fungi develop broad, pale-to-tan scaly caps that can reach up to 35 centimeters across alongside a dense, fibrous stem. A distinct, lingering aroma reminiscent of spicy cinnamon and pine resin often reveals their presence before they become fully visible.
MycorrhizalForest DwellerAromatic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mycorrhizal (exchanges soil nutrients with host conifer roots)
Predators
- Fungus Gnats
- Slugs
- Squirrels
ThreatsHabitat degradation, pine wilt disease, and heavy harvesting pressures
HabitatsConiferous and mixed forests, particularly under pine and fir
Life spanPerennial underground mycelium; fruiting bodies last 1–3 weeks
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyTricholomataceae
- SpeciesTricholoma matsutake
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
- What to notice
- Recognized by its robust build, broad brownish-tan scaly cap, and thick stem wrapped in a fibrous ring.
- Support conservation
- Keep distance, avoid disturbing the surrounding soil or host roots, and do not publish exact location coordinates of wild patches.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Search around mature pine roots where fruiting bodies push up through pine needles.
- Identification: Look for a firm cottony ring on the stem and a distinctive spicy pine aroma.
- Conservation: Avoid raking or disturbing underground mycelial mats when viewing specimens.
Toxic Look-Alike 
Host Tree (c) harum.koh, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by harum.koh · cc-by-saToxic Look-Alike Close Relative
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