Bubwaka bwaka is found on oil palm trunks and other trees in dense shade. These mushrooms can be pink or white.
Bufwa ngudi growing on the end of a dead oil palm trunk in the shade.
Bulongo (Lentinus squarrosulus) appears between April and December. These were growing on the stumps of Hallea stipulosa and Hymenocardia acida.
Bundolo (Termitomyces sp.) was found growing in the shade among fallen leaves.
A large Termitomyces mushroom from Kimbao
Termitomyces microcarpus
Some mushroom collectors
Children with Termitomyces letestui (both photos)
Termitomyces aurantiacus
Termitomyces letestui
And some sellers
Termitomyces aurantiacus (with orange cap) on the left and T. mammiformis (grey cap) lower center
Termitomyces mammiformis
Mushroom market in Kinshasa
Bunsambi (Polyporus tenuiculus) grows on dead tree trunks (particularly Voacanga africana) and can be found throughout the year. It is cooked with simsim or seeds of pumpkin or squash.
Lumvumvu (Lentinus squarrosulus) Grows on dead wood in the forest. Photo: Jacques Miaglia
Lutumbula or Lutumbulu is found in large quantities in the savanna at the start of the rains. The mushroom is very popular being used as a substitute for meat and vegetables. Eating large amounts, however, is believed to cause illness.
Nkaka bu bwaka bwaka The “grandfather” of Bwaka bwaka, on a dead Dacryodes edulis tree.
References: Struyf in Gillet & Pâque 1910 p 9, Daeleman & Pauwels 1983, Eyi Ndong et al. 2011
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