Catathelasma ventricosum

Synonym: Lentinus ventricosus Peck

Habitat
Fruiting under conifers, especially spruce, in the Pacific Northwest. In California it is known from Del Norte, Humboldt, and Siskiyou counties.

Edibility
Very firm texture with mild flavor.

Comments
Catathelasma ventricosum is distinguished by large, tough sporocarps with a white to pale grey cap. It could be confused with its close relative, Catathelasma imperiale, which is even larger, with a brownish cap. Catathelasma ventricosum could also be confused with the American matsutake, Tricholoma magnivelare, but it lacks the spicy-sweet odor of that species.