Blue Pinkgill mushroom

A rare and striking fungus, the ‘blue pinkgill’ (Entolomahochstetteri), has been documented in the Kagaznagar forest division of Telangana’s Komaram Bheem Asifabad district.

Key Characteristics of the Blue Pinkgill

• Appearance: The mushroom is distinguished by its vivid, all-blue color, which is derived from rare azulene pigments. Its gills have a slight reddish tint from the maturing spores, giving it its name. The cap can range from conical to flat, and it grows on the ground among leaf litter.
• Cultural Significance: In its native New Zealand, the blue pinkgill, locally known as werewere-kōkako, is so iconic that it is featured on the country’s $50 banknote.
• Origin in India: The mushroom was first recorded in India in Odisha in 1989. Its recent sighting in Telangana suggests a broader distribution than previously assumed, possibly linked to favorable ecological conditions during the monsoon season.
• Toxicity: While many members of the genus Entoloma are known to be poisonous, the toxicity of Entoloma hochstetteri is unknown. Preliminary research suggests the presence of bioactive compounds, but its edibility has not been confirmed, and caution is strongly advised.