Tricholoma magnivelare

Tricholoma magnivelare is a species of fungus, commonly known as the American matsutake. It is a prized edible mushroom native to North America and Central America, closely related to the Japanese matsutake (Tricholoma matsutake). These mushrooms are characterized by their earthy flavor, meaty texture, and a sweet aroma reminiscent of pine and spice.1

They grow in a mycorrhizal relationship with pine and beech trees, meaning the fungus's underground filaments wrap around tree roots, exchanging nutrients. T. magnivelare mushrooms have thick white stems and compact brownish caps, typically 2 to 8 inches in diameter, with white gills underneath. Unlike their Asian counterparts, these species are not traditionally cultivated and are harvested from their natural woodland habitats.1

The Tricholoma genus itself encompasses a group of white-spored mushrooms with various colors, some edible and some not.2