Introduction

Wild mushroom collection in the northern mountains of the state of Puebla goes back to Pre-Hispanic times. The study of social actors involved in wild mushroom collection and sale implies an understanding of the relationship between humans and useful mushrooms.

Objective

Listing the species of wild mushrooms that are sold and the social role played by members of the collector families.

Methods

From June 2016 to June 2017 we applied an ethnomycological survey to 38 mushroom merchants, as well as open interviews to key collaborators in the main market at Zaragoza, Puebla.

Results and conclusions

We found 21 wild macromycete species, five of which are the most commercially relevant: Russula brevipes; Ampulloclitocybe clavipes; Armillariella mellea; Boletus edulis, and Lactarius indigo. Mushroom merchants are mostly women (92.1%). Women’s experience in the use, management, and sale of wild mushrooms is reproduced across generations through collective collection including several members of families.