Mycological
Flora
Mushrooms
are the ecological protagonists because of the numerous
biological functions that they perform. They are also
famous as gastronomic delicacies associated with certain
dishes. However, the undisputed king of the fungi in the
Monferrato hills is the white truffle (Tuber magnatum),
sac fungus hypogeum connected in symbiosis with the roots
of other trees like the poplar, oak and lime. For its
aroma and taste it's an exaltation for the joy of the
palate. It has been somewhat commercialised and it is
often the main feature and attraction of country fairs.
To compare with the noble white truffle we've got the
Armillaria mellea which is deeply rooted in an antique
gastronomic tradition in Monferrato, even if the experts
consider it to be of poor quality and often, if consumed
in large quantities, can cause gastro-intestinal problems
and poisoning. Among those appreciated is the rare royal
agaric (Amanita caesarea) which is found in the oak woods
in limy soil, the well-known pore fungus (mushroom) (Boletus
edulis) which is found only in the well preserved woods,
the Macrolepiota procera, the morel (Morchella vulgaris)
which is almost a rarity due to the scarcity of the symbiontic
elm tree (Ulmus minor) and some other special ones like
the
Langermannia gigantea.
Also among the mushrooms there is no absence of rarities
or special fungus' the Boletus (Boletus pulchrotinctus),
comes to mind along with some species discovered recently
in a few places in northern Italy.