crop this year. This is a valued and an expensive crop produce, which
occurs naturally and is being sold to local traders by the collectors.
It grows on stumps, logs of decaying wood, leaves or humous-rich soil in
clusters. It belongs to morcella genus of fungi. Due to its resemblance
with mushroom, it is also called sponge mushroom. This sponge mushroom
has got niche foreign market and commands good demand from big hotels
from all over the world (as high as USD 500 per kg in US and EU
markets). Even in domestic urban market also, it is sold at not less
than Rs 15000 per kg. It starts appearing with the melting of snow in
March month and remains available fpr next 2-3 months. It grows at
height of 1500 – 3000 meters above msl in HP, J&K and Uttarakhand.
However, no technique seems to have been developed so far for its
commercial cultivation. This needs to be taken up and tested by the
researchers.
timesofindia. indiatimes. com
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