Diversity of macromycetes in the Botanical Garden Jevremovac in Belgrade

Abstract

At locations in the outdoor area and in the greenhouse of the Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, a total of 124 macromycetes species were noted, among which 22 species were recorded for the first time in Serbia. Most of the species belong to the phylum Basidiomycota (113) and only 11 to the phylum Ascomycota. Saprobes are dominant with 81.5%, 45.2% being lignicolous and 36.3% are terricolous. Parasitic species are represented with 13.7% and mycorrhizal species with 4.8%. Inedible species are dominant (70 species), 34 species are edible, five are conditionally edible, eight are poisonous and one is hallucinogenic (Psilocybe cubensis). A significant number of representatives belong to the category of medicinal species. These species have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine of Far Eastern nations. Current studies confirm and explain knowledge gained by experience and reveal new species which produce biologically active compounds with anti-microbial, antioxidative, genoprotective and anticancer properties. Among species collected in the Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, those medically significant are: Armillaria mellea, Auricularia auricula.-judae, Laetiporus sulphureus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Schizophyllum commune, Trametes versicolor, Ganoderma applanatum, Flammulina velutipes and Inonotus hispidus. Some of the found species, such as T. versicolor and P. ostreatus, also have the ability to degrade highly toxic phenolic compounds and can be used in ecologically and economically justifiable soil remediation.