Fungus Fact Friday

Tagged: lepiotoid

agaric mushrooms with a lepiotoid morphology

Mycena leaiana 4

Fungus Fact

#027: Gilled Mushrooms (Agarics)

The gilled mushrooms, informally referred to as ‘agarics,’ are the type of mushroom with which we are most familiar. The most common edible mushrooms (white/button/portabella mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms), Amanita muscaria – the most recognizable mushroom in the world and the inspiration for almost all mushroom art – and the ‘magic mushrooms’ are all gilled mushrooms. All these mushrooms share one feature: vertical plates of spore-producing tissue stacked under a sterile cap.

Chlorophyllum molybdites 0

Fungus Fact

#181: Chlorophyllum molybdites

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! To celebrate, I chose to discuss the Green Spored Lepiota, Chlorophyllum molybdites (I will return to morphological groups of agarics next week). Commonly known as the “Green Spored Lepiota,” the “Green-Gilled Lepiota,” the “False Parasol,” and various derivatives of those names, C. molybdites is the most common culprit in cases of mushroom poisoning in the United States. The large, attractive mushrooms frequently appear in lawns, making them prime candidates for consumption by people who aren’t familiar with mushrooms. Thankfully, the mushroom causes only gastrointestinal (GI) distress. People wishing to avoid this unpleasant experience can easily recognize C. molybdites thanks to its green spores.

Macrolepiota sp. 3

Fungus Fact

#173: Lepiotoid Mushrooms

The lepiotoid mushrooms are a genetically diverse group but are often lumped together in field guides to simplify identification. Morphologically, lepiotoid mushrooms most closely resemble mushrooms from the genus Amanita (FFF#172). Lepiotoid mushrooms have free gills, a white spore print, and a partial veil, but are saprobic and lack a universal veil. Despite these shared characteristics, lepiotoid mushrooms have multiple origins. “Lepiotoid” means “like Lepiota.” Most lepiotoid mushrooms were at one time placed in the genus Lepiota, so that genus is used as a basis for this morphological group.

#072: Leucocooprinus birnbaumii, The Yellow Houseplant Mushroom 0

Fungus Fact

#072: Leucocooprinus birnbaumii, The Yellow Houseplant Mushroom

This small, yellow, parasol mushroom is a tropical species but can be found throughout the world in greenhouses and indoors among potted plants. These mushrooms often surprise people by appearing suddenly indoors at any time of the year.  birnbaumii is a mostly harmless mushroom.  It does not damage your plants at all, but it should not be eaten.  The Yellow Houseplant Mushroom is mildly poisonous, but symptoms appear only when it is eaten in large quantities.  If you are worried that a pet or child may eat the mushrooms, then you may want to pick the mushrooms and throw them out.  This will not get rid of the fungus, so you will have to check the pot regularly.  The mushrooms may also spread to other pots in your house through airborne spores.  If you want to get rid of them forever, then you will probably have to throw away your...