Hypsizygus tessulatus

Hypsizygus tessulatus, the beech mushroom, is an edible mushroom native to East Asia. It is cultivated locally in temperate climates in Europe, North America and Australia and sold fresh in super markets. In nature, these are gilled mushrooms that grow on wood. Most often the mushroom is found on beech trees, hence the common name. Cultivated versions are often small and thin in appearance and popular in many nations across the world.

Two commercial variations, both originating from Japan, are known:

• Buna-shimeji (ja:ブナシメジ), wild type brown coloration. Known as brown beech mushroom, beech mushroom, brown clamshell mushroom;
• Bunapi-shimeji (ja:ブナピー) is a white UV-induced mutant of the former, known as white beech mushroom, white clamshell mushroom. The original strain is registered by Hokto Corporation.