The Calvatia nipponica mushroom, known as a globally rare species, has been found for the 13th consecutive year at the foot of Mt. Jirisan in Namwon, North Jeolla Province.

According to the city of Namwon on July 23, a resident in their 60s living in Sannae-myeon recently discovered a Calvatia nipponica mushroom in their black raspberry farm.

The farm is a site where an apple orchard—where Calvatia nipponica mushrooms had been discovered for years—was converted into a black raspberry field.

The discovered mushroom is generally spherical, about 30cm in diameter, and exhibits a white color just before turning light brown.

With this discovery, Calvatia nipponica mushrooms have been found in this farm for 13 consecutive years since 2014.

Starting with two in the first year, the mushrooms initially appeared at a rate of 2 to 3 per year, but have recently been on an increasing trend to 5 to 8 per year.

Calvatia nipponica mushrooms have also been steadily harvested for about 10 years in another apple orchard at the foot of nearby Mt. Jirisan.

Experts analyze that the mycelium of the Calvatia nipponica mushroom remains in this area and grows whenever the conditions for growth are met every summer.

Calvatia nipponica mushrooms, which mainly grow in grassy fields or mixed forests with rich organic matter during the summer and autumn, are known to be effective in stopping bleeding and detoxification.

The farm owner stated that the mushroom grew rapidly over the course of a few days amid recent monsoon rains, and considering the timing of its appearance, several more are expected to emerge in the future.

(Photo courtesy of Namwon City, Yonhap News)