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Entoloma sarcopum

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Entoloma sarcopum is a large, bitter autumn mushroom reported as food in Japan. Older sources call it Entoloma crassipes; related poisonous Entoloma make identification a serious concern.

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Two whole buff-brown mushrooms and two lengthwise halves show thick pale stems, white flesh and pinkish gills on an ivory background.

A name change within a difficult group

The current name used here is Entoloma sarcopum Nagas. & Hongo. A Japanese forest bulletin described the species in 1954 as E. crassipes; that name was later replaced because it was a homonym. Rhodophyllus crassipes is also included in the synonymy. Regional mushroom guides may therefore use E. crassipes, while scientific sources use E. sarcopum. The Japanese name ウラベニホテイシメジ is used for this mushroom in local guides.

Descriptions characterize the fruit body as large and robust, with a broad brownish cap, pale gills that become pinkish as spores mature, and a thick, solid stem. The molecular study gives a cap around 8–10 cm for its reference description and notes larger specimens in some treatments. Size alone does not establish identity: the paper specifically warns that smaller E. sarcopum may be difficult to distinguish from related E. rhodopolium-group mushrooms.

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Autumn fruiting in Japanese broad-leaved woods

The molecular study records E. sarcopum in moist mixed forest near Japanese oaks, including Quercus serrata and Q. acutissima, and Japanese red pine. Its specimens fruited in late September and October. A regional guide likewise gives autumn as the season and broad-leaved woods as habitat. These are Japanese observations and should not be generalized into a calendar for other hemispheres or climates.

Dated community observations in the linked gallery document the species name in Chiba, Tokyo, and Shizuoka. The photographed locations add occurrence leads; they do not define the entire range, establish local food use, or replace expert taxonomic verification.

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Regional food reports, not a universal recommendation

FAO’s Annex 3 includes E. crassipes in a cross-regional list of fungi described as edible. FAO explains that the list draws on more than 140 sources and that mycological literature does not always make clear whether an “edible” species was actually eaten. It is a useful historical lead, not a stand-alone proof of safe use or a recipe.

Japanese regional sources provide more direct food evidence. Ishikawa Prefecture categorizes the mushroom under its edible species guide. A Chiba mushroom society describes it as food and says it is popular in Miyagi Prefecture, noting a pronounced bitterness and firm texture. These accounts document food use in specific Japanese contexts; they do not establish a preparation method, toxicology profile, or safety outside expert-confirmed identification.

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Identification and safety remain the limiting issue

This entry is not foraging guidance. Japan’s Ministry of Health describes E. rhodopolium as poisonous and notes that it can be confused with edible E. sarcopum. The molecular study likewise addresses the close relationship and the identification challenge, including small specimens that may be difficult to separate. A bitter taste is reported in the Japanese food descriptions, but taste-testing is not a safe identification method and this page does not recommend it.

The available sources support a regional food history but do not supply a modern toxicological safety evaluation of E. sarcopum, a validated consumer identification protocol, or a preparation process that resolves the risk. The record therefore preserves the food reports and the poisonous-congener warning together; it does not advise collecting or eating wild specimens.

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Places

Miyagi Prefecture

Documented use · Region evidence

The regional mushroom society says the mushroom is popular in Miyagi; this does not give a locality or establish universal safety.

See Miyagi Prefectureon the mapLocation source 1 →

Ishikawa Prefecture

Documented use · Region evidence

The prefectural guide identifies the species as edible; it is not a toxicological safety assessment.

See Ishikawa Prefectureon the mapLocation source 1 →

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