Rare Siamese mushrooms have been found in Yantai, in eastern China's Shandong Province.

A reader surnamed Gao told reporters in a telephone interview that he had found the Siamese mushrooms in a batch his daughter bought at the market.

A picture taken on Tuesday March 4, 2008 shows rare Siamese mushrooms found in Yantai, eastern China's Shandong Province. [Photo: shm.com.cn]

I have seen Siamese babies and Siamese cats on television, but I have never seen Siamese mushrooms before, 60-year-old Gao said.

The Siamese mushrooms share one cap, while each has its own roots.

An expert in the municipal agriculture department said mushrooms with high protein, low fat, various vitamins and amino acids can help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Farmers usually use a plant growth regulator to increase mushroom yield, he said. He also reminded consumers not to eat particularly large or deformed mushrooms, which are likely enlarged by plant hormones.

(CRI March 5, 2005)