Agrocybe praecox

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Agrocybe praecox
Agrocybe praecox 20120415wa.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Strophariaceae
Genus: Agrocybe
Species:
A. praecox
Binomial name
Agrocybe praecox
Agrocybe praecox
Information icon.svg
Gills icon.png Gills on hymenium
Convex cap icon.svg Cap is convex
Adnexed gills icon2.svg Hymenium is adnexed
Ring stipe icon.svg Stipe has a ring
Transparent spore print icon.svg
Spore print is brown
Saprotrophic fungus.svgEcology is saprotrophic
Mycomorphbox Question.pngEdibility is unknown

Agrocybe praecox, commonly known as the spring fieldcap, spring agrocybe or early agrocybe, [1] is a species of brown-spored mushroom which appears early in the year in woods, gardens and fields. According to modern taxonomic analysis, it is just one of a cluster of closely similar species which are often referred to as the Agrocybe praecox complex. It is found in Europe, North Africa and North America.

Contents

Description

Agrocybe praecox belongs to a group of species which are difficult to distinguish consistently. The following description combines several references. [2] [3] [4] [5]

The mushroom was first described by Persoon in 1800 as Agaricus praecox. In 1889 Fayod devised the new genus Agrocybe and made A. praecox the type species. [6]

The Latin epithet praecox ('early') [7] is related to the word "precocious" and refers to the fact that this species often appears early in the year.

A 1990 study by Timothy Flynn and O. K. Miller finds that A. praecox is one of four species which are indistinguishable using superficial characteristics but which can be separated through their habitat and location. [8] [9] If this proposal is accepted, the cluster consists of A. molesta and three other species which do not yet have proper names, but which are referred to as "Flynn & Miller Species I–III". The three provisional species correspond to the older names A. acericola, A. elatella, A. praecox, and A. sphaleromorpha combined; and their synonyms. [4] [10] According to the traditional system, various detailed morphological characteristics can be used to choose between the species, but such is variation amongst individuals that it is difficult to achieve a consistent identification in this way.

The following table summarizes the names of species which are closely related to A. praecox. Note that Index Fungorum has been used as a reference throughout. [6]

Species, author & dateDescription & ReferencesRelation to A. praecox
Agrocybe acericola (Peck) Singer (1950)Found on woody debris in hardwood forests, cap yellow-brown, often veined or wrinkled in the centre. May be the same as Flynn & Miller Species III. [11] Not distinguished from A. praecox in Funga Nordica. [4]
Agrocybe dura (Bolton) Singer (1936)This is a synonym of A. molesta (the name A. dura is preferred by Funga Nordica). [2] [3] [4] See A. molesta.
Agrocybe elatella (P. Karst.) Vesterh. (1989) (= A. paludosa)Grows amongst moss in marshes and fens.Smaller with more slender stipe, hygrophanous, stem not bulbous. [3] [4] [5]
Agrocybe gibberosa (Fr.) Fayod (1889)Synonym of A. praecox. [4] [12] Same.
Agrocybe molesta (Lasch) Singer (1978) (= A. dura)This is certainly a distinct species which grows in grass, [2] [3] [4] but according to Flynn & Miller it is part of the A. praecox complex, and the only species which gets its nutrition from grass (rather than wood chips). [8] [9] It is bigger and fleshier than A. praecox, [2] [3] [5] the cap surface develops superficial cracks [2] [3] [4] [5] and the spores are somewhat bigger. [2] [4]
Agrocybe paludosa (J.E. Lange) Kühner & Romagn. (1953)This is a synonym of A. elatella. [3] [4] See A. elatella.
Agrocybe sphaleromorpha (Bull.) Fayod (1889)Not distinguished from A. praecox in Funga Nordica [4] Smaller, having a bulbous stipe, found in pasture. [2] [3] [5]
Flynn & Miller Species I (1990)Temporary name for first proposed new species. [8] Grows in gardens on wood chip mulch. [9] [10]
Flynn & Miller Species II (1990)Temporary name for second proposed new species. [8] Grows on wood litter in coniferous or aspen forests in western North America. [9] [10]
Flynn & Miller Species III (1990)Temporary name for third proposed new species. [8] Grows on wood litter in broadleaf forests (especially with maples) in eastern North America. May be the same as A. acericola. [9] [10]

General

It has a widespread distribution in North America, [9] Europe, Asia [13] and North Africa. [3] Also it has been reported from Mongolia, Siberia, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Argentina and Colombia. [14]

The species is not flavorful but is sometimes considered edible. [7] [15] It may be bitter, and one French source says that because of this characteristic and its soft consistency, it is best left aside. [16] Another site says that it is edible but needs to be well cooked. [17] Roger Phillips lists it as inedible. [18]

Another similar species is A. smithii . [7]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Craterellus</i> Genus of edible fungi

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<i>Pluteus cervinus</i> Species of fungus

Pluteus cervinus, commonly known as the deer shield, deer mushroom, or fawn mushroom, is a species of fungus in the order Agaricales. Fruit bodies are agaricoid (mushroom-shaped). Pluteus cervinus is saprotrophic and fruit bodies are found on rotten logs, roots, tree stumps, sawdust, and other wood waste. The species is common in Europe and eastern North America, but rare and possibly introduced in western North America.

<i>Agrocybe</i> Genus of fungi

Agrocybe is a genus of mushrooms in the family Strophariaceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, and contains about 100 species.

<i>Agaricus arvensis</i> Species of fungus

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<i>Hypsizygus tessulatus</i> Species of mushroom-forming fungus

Hypsizygus tessulatus, the beech mushroom, is an edible mushroom native to East Asia. It is cultivated locally in temperate climates in Europe, North America and Australia and sold fresh in super markets. In nature, these are gilled mushrooms that grow on wood. Most often the mushroom is found on beech trees, hence the common name. Cultivated versions are often small and thin in appearance and popular in many nations across the world.

<i>Agaricus bitorquis</i> Species of fungus

Agaricus bitorquis, commonly known as torq, banded agaric, spring agaric, banded agaricus, urban agaricus, or pavement mushroom, is an edible white mushroom of the genus Agaricus, similar to the common button mushroom that is sold commercially. The name supersedes Agaricus rodmani.

<i>Gymnopus dryophilus</i> Species of fungus

Gymnopus dryophilus is a mushroom commonly found in temperate woodlands of Europe and North America. It is generally saprophytic, but occasionally also attacks living wood. It belongs to section Levipedes of the genus, being characterized by a smooth stem having no hairs at the base. Until recently it was most frequently known as Collybia dryophila.

<i>Cortinarius caperatus</i> Species of fungus

Cortinarius caperatus is an edible mushroom of the genus Cortinarius found in northern regions of Europe and North America. It was known as Rozites caperata for many years before genetic studies revealed that it belonged to the genus Cortinarius. The fruit bodies appear in autumn in coniferous and beech woods as well as heathlands in late summer and autumn. The ochre-coloured cap is up to 10 cm (4 in) across and has a fibrous surface. The clay-colored gills are attached to the stipe under the cap, and the stipe is whitish with a whitish ring. The Latin specific name, caperatus, means wrinkled, and refers to the distinctive texture of the cap. The flesh has a mild smell and flavor.

<i>Clavulina cristata</i> Species of fungus

Clavulina cristata, commonly known as the white coral fungus or the crested coral fungus, is a white- or light-colored edible coral mushroom present in temperate areas of the Americas and Europe. It is the type species of the genus Clavulina.

<i>Ampulloclitocybe clavipes</i> Species of fungus

Ampulloclitocybe clavipes, commonly known as the club-foot or club-footed clitocybe, is a species of gilled mushroom from Europe and North America. The grey brown mushrooms have yellowish decurrent gills and a bulbous stalk, and are found in deciduous and conifer woodlands. Although considered edible, disulfiram-like reactions have been reported after consumption of alcohol after eating this mushroom.

<i>Agrocybe pediades</i> Species of fungus

Agrocybe pediades, commonly known as the common fieldcap or common agrocybe, is a typically lawn and other types of grassland mushroom, but can also grow on mulch containing horse manure. It was first described as Agaricus pediades by Swedish mycologist Elias Magnus Fries in 1821, and moved to its current genus Agrocybe by Victor Fayod in 1889. A synonym for this mushroom is Agrocybe semiorbicularis, though some guides list these separately. Technically it is edible, but it could be confused with poisonous species, including one of the genus Hebeloma.

<i>Entoloma abortivum</i> Species of fungus

Entoloma abortivum, commonly known as the aborted entoloma or shrimp of the woods, is an edible mushroom in the Entolomataceae family of fungi. Caution should be used in identifying the species before eating. First named Clitopilus abortivus by Miles Joseph Berkeley and Moses Ashley Curtis, it was given its current name by the Dutch mycologist Marinus Anton Donk in 1949.

<i>Clavaria zollingeri</i> Species of fungus

Clavaria zollingeri, commonly known as the violet coral or the magenta coral, is a widely distributed species of fungus. It produces striking tubular, purple to pinkish-violet fruit bodies that grow up to 10 cm (3.9 in) tall and 7 cm (2.8 in) wide. The extreme tips of the fragile, slender branches are usually rounded and brownish. A typical member of the clavarioid or club fungi, Clavaria zollingeri is saprobic, and so derives nutrients by breaking down organic matter. The fruit bodies are typically found growing on the ground in woodland litter, or in grasslands. Variations in branching and color can often be used to distinguish C. zollingeri from similarly colored coral fungi such as Alloclavaria purpurea and Clavulina amethystina, although microscopy is required to reliably identify the latter species.

<i>Lepiota clypeolaria</i> Species of fungus

Lepiota clypeolaria, commonly known as the shield dapperling or the shaggy-stalked Lepiota, is a common mushroom in the genus Lepiota. It is widely distributed in northern temperate zones, where it grows in deciduous and coniferous forest. Fruit bodies have a brownish cap, a shaggy stipe with a collapsed, sheathing ring or ring zone, and spindle-shaped spores.

<i>Melanoleuca melaleuca</i> Species of fungus

Melanoleuca melaleuca is a species of mushroom in the family Tricholomataceae, and it is the type species of its genus Melanoleuca. It is difficult to distinguish from other related species firstly because it is variable, secondly because the taxonomic criteria are often based on characteristics which have later been found to be variable, and thirdly because there is much disagreement between authorities as to exactly how the species should be defined.

<i>Tricholoma fulvum</i> Species of fungus

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<i>Morchella deliciosa</i> Species of fungus

Morchella deliciosa is a species of edible fungus in the family Morchellaceae. It was first described scientifically by Elias Magnus Fries in 1822. It is a European species, although the name has erroneously been applied to morphologically similar North American morels.

<i>Suillus flavidus</i> Species of fungus

Suillus flavidus is a bolete mushroom in the genus Suillus native to Europe. It is considered endangered in the Czech Republic and Switzerland. It is also considered edible, but with an unpleasant taste.

<i>Mycetinis scorodonius</i> Species of fungus

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References

  1. Arora, David (1986). Mushrooms demystified: a comprehensive guide to the fleshy fungi (Second ed.). Berkeley: Ten Speed Press. ISBN   978-0-89815-169-5.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Marcel Bon (1987). The Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and North-Western Europe. Hodder & Stoughton. p. 262. ISBN   978-0-340-39935-4.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Courtecuisse, R.; Duhem, B. (1994). Guide des champignons de France et d'Europe. Delachaux et Niestlé. p. 360. ISBN   978-2-603-00953-6. Also available in English.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Henning Knudsen; Jan Vesterhout (2008). Funga Nordica. Copenhagen: Nordsvamp. p. 828.. Here A. praecox is admitted to be a complex of species including A. acericola and A. sphaleromorpha.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 See Meinhard Moser (1983). Keys to Agarics and Boleti. Translated by Simon Plant. London: Roger Phillips. p. 290. ISBN   978-0-9508486-0-0.
  6. 1 2 For instance, search Species Fungorum with genus name = "Agrocybe" to find the related species. A. praecox is here.
  7. 1 2 3 Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. pp. 178–179. ISBN   978-0-88192-935-5.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Timothy Flynn; O. K. Miller (1990). "Biosystematics of Agrocybe molesta and sibling species allied to Agrocybe praecox in North America and Europe". Mycological Research. 94 (8): 1103–1110. doi:10.1016/s0953-7562(09)81341-5. A synopsis is available online at the Science direct site.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kuo, M. (2006, September). Agrocybe praecox. See the MushroomExpert.Com article.
  10. 1 2 3 4 See this "Champignons du Québec" page (in French) for a key incorporating the same relationships.
  11. Kuo, M. (2006, September). Agrocybe acericola. See the MushroomExpert.Com article.
  12. This page of Species Fungorum shows synonyms of A. praecox.
  13. Asef M.R. (2020). Field guide of Mushrooms of Iran. Tehran: Iran-Shanasi Press. p. 360. ISBN   978-600-8351-42-9.
  14. See the Global Biodiversity Information Facility map, which provides hyperlinks to records with geographical location.
  15. Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p. 272. ISBN   978-0-7627-3109-1.
  16. See the Armorance web site (in French) on the natural history of Brittany.
  17. See the First Nature site.
  18. Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 226. ISBN   978-1-55407-651-2.