Studies on Higher Fungi in Pine Dominated Mixed Forest in Binsar Wild Life Sanctuary in Almora, Kumaon Himalaya

Man's interest started with the observation of the beautiful umbrella shaped mushrooms growing on soils forming “fairy-rings” in the forest. The majority of these mushrooms belongs to Hymenomycetes of Basidiomycotina. Some belongs to Discomycetes of Ascomycotina also. Mushrooms are devoids of chlorophyll, hence unable to manufacture their own food and therefore, they are saprophytic in nature. Some mushrooms are edible while others are poisonous, the latter known as “toadstools” which literally means death chair. In the present investigation Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary has been selected as the study area and fifteen species of mushrooms were collected during July to September.