The ectomycorrhizal association of and two allied species, and , with native hosts in subtropical China.

Accurate identification of edible ectomycorrhizal (ECM) mushrooms and their host trees in nature is key to commercial production for consumption. For the first time we describe the ectomycorrhizal association of the three most common species of edible matsutake mushrooms with their native host trees in Yunnan Province in China. We collected ECM samples from three different localities in subtropical forests known to be highly productive areas of . Additionally, we collected basidiomata of from the field and markets in Yunnan. ECM samples were analyzed using morphological and molecular methods. We conducted phylogenetic analyses of nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and analyzed the intergenic spacer of cpDNA to identify basidiomata and plant hosts, respectively. Three species of were identified: , and . Four ECM associations in the study area were detected: + + + , and + . Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the ECM associations are presented.