Phenetic plasticity in Pleurotus djamor

Pleurotus djamor has become known for its variability in basidiome color an d stature. To quantify the breadth of phenetic plasticity within the specie s, over 40 P-1 collections or dikaryon cultures of putative P. djamor from Asia and America were examined. Thirty-two strains were fruited, from which 20 collections were chosen for combined analyses, including phenetic analy ses for qualitative and quantitative characters and sexual compatibility te sts. Two types of compatibility tests proved all selected collections were compatible, and phenetic analyses showed no significant clustering power us ing macro- or micromorphological characters. F-1 hybrid basidiomata were pr oduced and viable F-1 basidiospores obtained. F-1 hybrid basidiomata were u npredictable for color, and basidiome color intensity was reduced under "st andardized" fruiting conditions. The species appeared to be pantropical, va rying within acceptable infraspecific bounds except for basidiome color, wh ich was not linked to geographic origin, other morphological characters, or light intensity during basidiome ontogeny.