Diversity of macromycetes in the Botanical Garden “Jevremovac” in Belgrade

At locations in the outdoor area and in the greenhouse of the Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, a
total of 124 macromycetes species were noted, among which 22 species were recorded for the first
time in Serbia. Most of the species belong to the phylum Basidiomycota (113) and only 11 to the
phylum Ascomycota. Saprobes are dominant with 81.5%, 45.2% being lignicolous and 36.3% are
terricolous. Parasitic species are represented with 13.7% and mycorrhizal species with 4.8%. Inedible
species are dominant (70 species), 34 species are edible, five are conditionally edible, eight are
poisonous and one is hallucinogenic (Psilocybe cubensis). A significant number of representatives
belong to the category of medicinal species. These species have been used for thousands of years in
traditional medicine of Far Eastern nations. Current studies confirm and explain knowledge gained
by experience and reveal new species which produce biologically active compounds with antimicrobial,
antioxidative, genoprotective and anticancer properties. Among species collected in
the Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, those medically significant are: Armillaria mellea, Auricularia
auricula.-judae, Laetiporus sulphureus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Schizophyllum commune, Trametes
versicolor, Ganoderma applanatum, Flammulina velutipes and Inonotus hispidus. Some of the found
species, such as T. versicolor and P. ostreatus, also have the ability to degrade highly toxic phenolic
compounds and can be used in ecologically and economically justifiable soil remediation