Edible bitter mushroom from Besut, Malaysia

To date, the edible bitter mushroom that available in Besut known with the only name kulat gelam. Whether in Terengganu or Kelantan, the mushroom that provides bitter taste will be obtained in certain season especially raining season in habitat of gelam trees. However, people from communities in Besut, Terengganu and some from Kelantan called the name of pokok gelam to different species of trees. In Besut, the tree was referred to Acacia mangium while in Kelantan they referred to Melaleuca cajuputi. Even in Malaysian rain forest, there was found the tree that related to the gelam name, that is gelam bukit tree from the species of Leptospermum from Fagaceae family. Field survey had been done in the habitat of the bitter mushroom found, assisted by local people. Through this research, we had been observed for the relationship between the bitter mushrooms in Besut area with the so called gelam tree. Comparison had been made with the previous record of bitter mushroom in local and at the other countries. The nomination of this bitter mushroom was well-matched with the possible details accounts and found it significance to the name of Tylopilus felleus (Bull.) Karst., from Boletaceae family and some synonyms. There was ectomychorrizal relationship between kulat gelam and Acacia mangium trees. A simple experiment done to obtain the pH value of fresh juice found at pH 5, while the moisture content was 91.38 % and ethanolic extraction produced 26.09 % yield. Some macroscopic characters of the species had been recorded and the specimen deposited in herbarium. It is important to identify each fungus correctly for the status of its edibility and risks of poisonous, where it possible to cause fatal. Hence, this research may provide basic knowledge for the wild fungi identification and ecosystem management.