Cyttaria espinosae, also known by its local name digüeñe, dihueñe, lihueñe, quireñe, pinatra, or quideñe, is an orange-white coloured and edible species of ascomycete fungus.
Description The fruitbodies are orange and white. Their pitted surface generates air turbulence, facilitating wind-borne spore dispersal.
Distribution and habitat The species is native to south-central Chile and Argentinean Patagonia. The digüeñe is a strict and specific parasite of Nothofagus, mainly N. obliqua trees and causes canker-like galls on branches from which the fruiting bodies emerge between spring and early summer.
Culinary use C. espinosae's flavor is described as between sweet and bland. In Patagonian cuisine, the digüeñe is usually consumed fresh in salads or fried with scrambled eggs for empanada stuffing. They are traditionally consumed by the Mapuche people.
References
External links
Chileflora.com