title: Pleurotus opuntiae (Durieu et Lév.) Sacc. (higher Basidiomycetes) and other species related to Agave and Opuntia plants in Mexico-taxonomy, distribution, and applications.
abstract: Pleurotus opuntiae is an important mushroom from xerophytic temperate regions of Mexico, as parasite or saprobe on Agave and Opuntia. Discussions on the taxonomic relationships of P opuntiae with P djamor, P. agaves, P. levis, and P. yuccae are presented, of which P. agaves is a synonym of P. opuntiae, and P. yuccae is a synonym of P. djamor. This latter and P levis are close species of P. opuntiae. The traditional uses of P opuntiae and P. djamor as food and remedy for several health problems, and also to get a traditional alcoholic drink from the Agave, are also considered.
authors.affiliation: Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camacho
authors.forename: Gastón
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guzmán
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guzmán-Dávalos
mesh_terms: D027882:Agave / Q000382:microbiology*; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D029747:Opuntia / Q000382:microbiology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D020076:Pleurotus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal