About Cyttaria espinosae Lloyd
The fruitbodies of Cyttaria espinosae Lloyd are orange and white. Their pitted surface creates air turbulence, which helps disperse wind-borne spores. This species is native to south-central Chile and Argentinean Patagonia. Commonly called digüeñe, it is a strict, specific parasite of Nothofagus trees, primarily Nothofagus obliqua. It causes canker-like galls on branches, and its fruiting bodies emerge from these galls between spring and early summer. The flavor of C. espinosae is described as falling between sweet and bland. In Patagonian cuisine, digüeñe is typically eaten fresh in salads, or fried with scrambled eggs to use as stuffing for empanadas. It has been traditionally consumed by the Mapuche people.
