Aspropaxillus giganteus

Last updated

Contents

Aspropaxillus giganteus
Leucopaxillus giganteus 20070817wa.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: incertae sedis
Genus: Aspropaxillus
Species:
A. giganteus
Binomial name
Aspropaxillus giganteus
(Sowerby) Kühner & Maire (1934)
Synonyms
  • Agaricus giganteusSowerby (1799)
  • Clitocybe gigantea(Sowerby) Quél. (1872)
  • Paxillus giganteus(Sowerby) Fr. (1874)
  • Omphalia geotropa var. gigantea(Sowerby) Quél. (1886)
  • Leucopaxillus giganteus(Sowerby) Singer (1939)
Aspropaxillus giganteus
Information icon.svg
Gills icon.png Gills on hymenium
Infundibuliform cap icon.svgFlat cap icon.svg Cap is infundibuliform or flat
Decurrent gills icon2.svg Hymenium is decurrent
Bare stipe icon.svg Stipe is bare
Transparent spore print icon.svg
 Spore print is white
Saprotrophic fungus.svgEcology is saprotrophic
Mycomorphbox Edible.pngMycomorphbox Caution.pngEdibility is edible but not recommended

Aspropaxillus giganteus, also Leucopaxillus giganteus, commonly known as the giant leucopax (formerly as the giant clitocybe) or the giant funnel, is a saprobic species of fungus in the order Agaricales. As its common names imply, the fruit body, or mushroom, can become quite large—the cap reaches diameters of up to 50 cm (20 in). It has a white or pale cream cap, and is funnel-shaped when mature, with the gills running down the length of the stem. Considered by some to be a choice edible when young, this species has a cosmopolitan distribution, and is typically found growing in groups or rings in grassy pastures, roadside hedges, or woodland clearings. It has been shown to contain a bioactive compound with antibiotic properties.

Taxonomy

The species was first described as Agaricus giganteus by English naturalist James Sowerby in 1809, who illustrated it in his book Coloured Figures of English Fungi. [1] Other historical synonyms include Clitocybe gigantea (Quélet, 1872), [2] Paxillus giganteus (Fries, 1874), [3] and Omphalia geotropa var. gigantea (Quélet, 1886). [4] In 1934, Robert Kühner and Réné Maire created the genus Aspropaxillus to contain species of Leucopaxillus with smooth spores, and they set L. giganteus as its type species. [5] American mycologist Rolf Singer transferred it to genus Leucopaxillus in 1938, [6] but recognized the value of maintaining a distinction of the smooth-spored species, and so made L. giganteus the type species of section Aspropaxilli. [7]

In 2012, Vizzini et al. showed that Leucopaxillus in its then-current definition was polyphyletic. And Leucopaxillus giganteus, not belonging to Leucopaxillus s.s., moved back to genus Aspropaxillus. [8]

Leucopaxillus giganteus is commonly known as the 'giant leucopax' (formerly as the 'giant clitocybe') or the 'giant funnel'. [9]

Description

Illustration of the type figure of L. giganteus (originally Agaricus giganteus) (1803) Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms - t. 244.jpg
Illustration of the type figure of L. giganteus (originally Agaricus giganteus) (1803)

The cap of L. giganteus can become rather large, ranging from 10–50 cm (3.9–19.7 in), rarely even 70 cm (28 in) in diameter with a thickness of 1 to 1.4 cm (0.4 to 0.6 in) at half the radius. [10] [11] Younger specimens have caps that are convex, with a margin that is rolled downwards, but as the mushrooms matures the cap flattens out and eventually becomes shallowly funnel-shaped. The cap is smooth and creamy white in color, but may develop brown stains and circular cracks with age.

The cream-colored gills are narrow, crowded close together, and have a decurrent attachment—running down the length of the stem; in age the gills will darken to a buff color. The stem is off-white with reddish-brown fibers and has dimensions, when mature, of 3 to 10 cm (1.2 to 3.9 in) tall and 2 to 5 cm (0.8 to 2.0 in) thick. [10] [11] There is no ring on the stem. At the base of the stem there is typically a dense, white mycelium that may form a mat. The flesh is firm, and also is white. [12] Mature specimens are fragile, and difficult to remove from the ground without breaking. [13]

Microscopic characteristics

When viewed in deposit, such as with a spore print, the spores appear white. [14] When viewed with a light microscope, the spores are ovoid to ellipsoid, translucent (hyaline), have a smooth surface, and possess a broadly rounded apex and base; the spore dimensions are 6–8 by 3.5–5  μm. Like all Leucopaxillus species, the spores of L. giganteus are amyloid—meaning that they will absorb iodine when stained with Melzer's reagent—however, the extent of the stain may be variable. [15] The spore-bearing cells, the basidia, are 25–40 by 4.5–8 μm, narrowly club-shaped, and are attached to either 2 or 4 spores. [10] The hyphae of this species invariably have clamp connections. [12]

Similar species

Leucopaxillus giganteus somewhat resembles Leucopaxillus candidus , but this latter species has a darker coloring and is found more commonly in montane regions. [10] Leucopaxillus septentrionalis is also large and resembles L. giganteus at some points during its development, but may be distinguished by its nauseous odor, the tan color of the cap, and the adnate (gill squarely attached to the stem) to slightly adnexed (narrowly attached) gills. [16] L. candidus tends to be smaller, with a cap diameter ranging from 6 to 30 cm (2.4 to 11.8 in) broad. [12] Leucopaxillus albissimus , Leucopaxillus gentianeus , Lactarius vellereus , and Infundibulicybe gibba have been suggested as additional lookalike species. [11] [17] [18] Young specimens of L. giganteus may be confused with Clitocybe irina , C. praemagna or C. robusta . [19] White Lactarius and Russula species may also appear superficially similar, but they have brittle flesh that breaks cleanly, unlike the fibrous flesh of L. giganteus. [17]

Habitat and distribution

These mature specimens have brown stains on the cap. Leucopaxillus giganteus 72289.jpg
These mature specimens have brown stains on the cap.

Leucopaxillus giganteus can form fairy rings in grassy areas like pastures, [20] and is also found along roadsides; [21] it produces fruiting bodies in summer and autumn. [22] It is a saprobic species, and so derives nutrients by decomposing organic matter.

The fungus has a cosmopolitan distribution, [14] and occurs throughout the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. [23] It is found in North America, Britain, and Europe. [24] David Arora reports that in North America, it is most common in the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountains. [19]

Uses

Edibility

The species is nonpoisonous but reportedly poor in flavor. [25] Although one source claims that it is a "choice edible when young", [14] another source warns of the possibility of stomach cramps and diarrhea. [21] Burrows suggests preparing specimens by cutting them up and boiling the pieces, and disposing of the water; then they may be used in dishes such as stews and casseroles. [26] Because of its large size, one specimen can be enough to be consumed by several individuals. [22] The odor has been said to be farinaceous or similar to fish meal; [12] the taste and smell of the mushroom have also been alternately characterized as "mild and pleasant" or "truly disgusting". [21] The species is also a favorite food for species of the fruit fly genus Drosophila . [27]

Bioactive compounds

Leucopaxillus giganteus contains a bioactive compound named clitocine that has antibiotic activity against a number of bacteria that are pathogenic to humans, such as Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis ; [28] [29] an earlier (1945) study showed antibiotic activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Salmonella typhi , and Brucea abortus . [30] Clitocine has also been shown to promote apoptosis (cell death) in human cervical cancer cells in vitro (HeLa). [31] The mycelia of L. giganteus, when grown in liquid culture, has been shown to produce phenols and flavonoids that have antioxidant activity. [32]

Related Research Articles

<i>Clitocybe</i> Genus of fungi

Clitocybe is a genus of mushrooms characterized by white, off-white, buff, cream, pink, or light-yellow spores, gills running down the stem, and pale white to brown or lilac coloration. They are primarily saprotrophic, decomposing forest ground litter. There are estimated to be around 300 species in the widespread genus.

<i>Collybia nuda</i> Species of mushroom

Collybia nuda, commonly known as the blewit or wood blewit and previously described as Lepista nuda and Clitocybe nuda, is an edible mushroom native to Europe and North America. Described by Pierre Bulliard in 1790, it was also known as Tricholoma nudum for many years. It is found in both coniferous and deciduous woodlands. It is a fairly distinctive mushroom that is widely eaten. It has been cultivated in Britain, the Netherlands and France. This species was reassigned to the genus Collybia in 2023.

<i>Entoloma sinuatum</i> Species of poisonous fungus in the family Entolomataceae found across Europe and North America

Entoloma sinuatum is a poisonous mushroom found across Europe and North America. Some guidebooks refer to it by its older scientific names of Entoloma lividum or Rhodophyllus sinuatus. The largest mushroom of the genus of pink-spored fungi known as Entoloma, it is also the type species. Appearing in late summer and autumn, fruit bodies are found in deciduous woodlands on clay or chalky soils, or nearby parklands, sometimes in the form of fairy rings. Solid in shape, they resemble members of the genus Tricholoma. The ivory to light grey-brown cap is up to 20 cm (7.9 in) across with a margin that is rolled inward. The sinuate gills are pale and often yellowish, becoming pink as the spores develop. The thick whitish stem has no ring.

<i>Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca</i> Species of fungus in the family Hygrophoropsidaceae

Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, commonly known as the false chanterelle, is a species of fungus in the family Hygrophoropsidaceae. It is found across several continents, growing in woodland and heathland, and sometimes on woodchips used in gardening and landscaping. Fruit bodies (mushrooms) are yellow–orange, with a funnel-shaped cap up to 8 cm across that has a felt-like surface. The thin, often forked gills on the underside of the cap run partway down the length of the otherwise smooth stipe. Reports on the mushroom's edibility vary – it is considered poisonous, but has historically been eaten in parts of Europe and the Americas.

<i>Clitocybe dealbata</i> Species of fungus

Clitocybe dealbata, also known as the ivory funnel, is a small white funnel-shaped basidiomycete fungus widely found in lawns, meadows and other grassy areas in Europe and North America. Also known as the sweating mushroom, or sweat producing clitocybe, it derives these names from the symptoms of poisoning. It contains potentially deadly levels of muscarine.

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

Agaricus augustus, known commonly as the prince, is a basidiomycete fungus of the genus Agaricus.

<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>Clitocybe nebularis</i> Species of fungus

Clitocybe nebularis or Lepista nebularis, commonly known as the clouded agaric, cloudy clitocybe, or cloud funnel, is an abundant gilled fungus which appears both in conifer-dominated forests and broad-leaved woodland in Europe and North America. Appearing in Britain from mid to late autumn, it is edible, but may cause gastrointestinal issues.

<i>Clitocybe rivulosa</i> Species of fungus

Clitocybe rivulosa, commonly known as the false champignon or fool's funnel, is a poisonous basidiomycete fungus of the large genus Clitocybe. One of several species similar in appearance, it is a small white funnel-shaped toadstool widely found in lawns, meadows and other grassy areas in Europe and North America. Also known as the sweating mushroom, it derives this name from the symptoms of poisoning. It contains potentially deadly levels of muscarine.

<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>Leucopaxillus albissimus</i> Species of fungus

Leucopaxillus albissimus, commonly known as the large white leucopaxillus, is a species of mushroom that lives as a saprobe, decaying the litter under coniferous trees. It produces a large white fruiting body that is unusually resistant to decay. It is considered to be inedible.

<i>Mycena inclinata</i> Species of fungus

Mycena inclinata, commonly known as the clustered bonnet or the oak-stump bonnet cap, is a species of mushroom in the family Mycenaceae. The doubtfully edible mushroom has a reddish-brown bell-shaped cap up to 4.5 cm (1.8 in) in diameter. The thin stem is up to 9 cm (3.5 in) tall, whitish to yellow-brown at the top but progressively becoming reddish-brown towards the base in maturity, where they are covered by a yellowish mycelium that can be up to a third of the length of the stem. The gills are pale brown to pinkish, and the spore print is white. It is a widespread saprobic fungus, and has been found in Europe, North Africa, Asia, Australasia, and North America, where it grows in small groups or tufts on fallen logs and stumps, especially of oak. British mycologist E.J.H. Corner has described two varieties of the mushroom from Borneo. Lookalike species with which M. inclinata may be confused include M. galericulata and M. maculata.

<i>Clitocybe glacialis</i> Species of fungus

Clitocybe glacialis is a species of mushroom in the family Tricholomataceae. Formerly known as Lyophyllum montanum, this is a snowbank mushroom, always associated with melting snow along snowbanks and thus glacialis. Originally described by Alexander H. Smith in 1957, this North American species is typically found growing under conifers on mountains.

<i>Infundibulicybe geotropa</i> Species of fungus

Infundibulicybe geotropa, also known as the trooping funnel or monk's head, is a funnel-shaped toadstool widely found in Europe and in North America. A large sturdy cream- or buff-coloured funnel-shaped mushroom, it grows in mixed woodlands, often in troops or fairy rings, one of which is over half a mile wide. Although edible, it could be confused with some poisonous species of similar colouration and size.

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

Tricholoma portentosum, commonly known as the charbonnier, streaked tricholoma, or sooty head, in North America, is a grey-capped edible mushroom of the large genus Tricholoma. It is found in woodlands in Europe and North America.

<i>Protostropharia semiglobata</i> Species of fungus

Protostropharia semiglobata, commonly known as the dung roundhead, the halfglobe mushroom, or the hemispherical stropharia, is an agaric fungus of the family Strophariaceae. A common and widespread species with a cosmopolitan distribution, the fungus produces mushrooms on the dung of various wild and domesticated herbivores. The mushrooms have hemispherical straw yellow to buff-tan caps measuring 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in), greyish gills that become dark brown in age, and a slender, smooth stem 3–12 cm (1.2–4.7 in) long with a fragile ring.

<i>Clitocybe albirhiza</i> Species of fungus

Clitocybe albirhiza, commonly known as the snowmelt clitocybe, is a species of agaric fungus in the family Tricholomataceae. It is found in high-elevation locations in the western United States.

<i>Russula densifolia</i> Species of agaric fungus

Russula densifolia, commonly known as the crowded russula or the reddening russula, is a species of agaric fungus in the family Russulaceae. It was first described in 1833 and given its current name in 1876. A widespread species, it is found in Asia, Europe, and North America, where it fruits on the ground in mixed and deciduous forests. Fruit bodies (mushrooms) are robust and squat, with caps up to 14.5 cm (5.7 in) in diameter, and stems that are 2–7.5 cm (0.8–3.0 in) long by 1.2–2.5 cm (0.5–1.0 in) thick. The mushrooms are characterized by the red and then black color changes that occur in the flesh when it is bruised, and a relatively thick cap cuticle. Although the mushroom is sold as an edible species in some areas of Asia, it is mild to moderately toxic, and may cause gastrointestinal upset if consumed. Several bioactive compounds have been isolated and identified from the mushroom.

<i>Paralepista flaccida</i> Species of fungus

Paralepista flaccida is a species of mushroom found across the Northern Hemisphere. It is known to form fairy rings.

<i>Infundibulicybe gibba</i> Species of gilled mushroom

Infundibulicybe gibba, and commonly known as the common funnel or funnel cap, is a species of gilled mushroom which is common in European woods.

References

  1. ↑ Sowerby J. (1809). Coloured Figures of English Fungi. Vol. 4. London: R. Wilks. pp. 401–40. in pl. 420
  2. ↑ Quélet L. (1872). "Les Champignons de Jura et des Vosges" [The Mushrooms of Jura and Vosges]. Mémoires de la Société d'Émulation de Montbéliard. II (in French). 5: 88.
  3. ↑ Fries EM. (1874). Hymenomycetes europaei sive epicriseos systematis mycologici (in Latin). Uppsala: Typis descripsit ed. Berling. p. 401.
  4. ↑ Quélet L. (1886). Enchiridion Fungorum in Europa media et praesertim in Gallia Vigentium (in Latin). p. 23.
  5. ↑ Kühner R, Maire R (1934). "Étude de la réaction de la membrane sporique à l'iode dans les divers genres d'Agarics leucosporés". Bulletin de la Société Mycologique de France (in French). 50 (1): 9–24.
  6. ↑ Singer R. (1938). "De nonnullis Basidiomycetibus. I". Botanicheskie Materialy Otdela Sporovyh Rastenij Botanicheskogo Instituti Imeni V.L. Komarova (in Latin). 4 (10–12): 4–18.
  7. ↑ Singer R, Smith AH (1943). "A monograph on the genus Leucopaxillus Bours". Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters. 28: 85–132.
  8. ↑ Vizzini A, Ercole E, Contu M (2012). "A contribution to the ITS-LSU phylogeny of the genus Leucopaxillus (/tricholomatoid clade, Agaricales), with three new genera and notes on Porpoloma". Mycosphere. 3 (1): 79–90. doi: 10.5943/mycosphere/3/1/10 . hdl: 2318/123277 .
  9. ↑ Phillips R. "Leucopaxillus giganteus". Rogers Mushrooms. Archived from the original on 2006-10-22. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Van Os J, Bas C, Kuyper TW, Noordeloos ME, Vellinga EC (1995). Flora Agaricina Neerlandica – 3. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC. p. 77. ISBN   978-90-5410-616-6.
  11. 1 2 3 Davis, R. Michael; Sommer, Robert; Menge, John A. (2012). Field Guide to Mushrooms of Western North America. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 149–150. ISBN   978-0-520-95360-4. OCLC   797915861.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Miller HR, Miller OK (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, Connecticut: Falcon Guide. p. 118. ISBN   978-0-7627-3109-1.
  13. ↑ Kuo M. "Clitocybe gigantea / Leucopaxillus giganteus". MushroomExpert.Com. Retrieved 2010-01-17.
  14. 1 2 3 Schalkwijk-Barendsen HME. (1991). Mushrooms of Western Canada. Edmonton, Alberta: Lone Pine Publishing. p.  260. ISBN   978-0-919433-47-2.
  15. ↑ Pegler DN, Young TWK (1973). "Basidiospore form in the British Leucopaxillae". Kew Bulletin. 28 (3): 365–79. doi:10.2307/4108880. JSTOR   4108880.
  16. ↑ Smith AH. (1975). A Field Guide to Western Mushrooms. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press. p. 86. ISBN   978-0-472-85599-5.
  17. 1 2 Lamaison J-L, Polèse J-M (2005). Encyclopédie visuelle des champignons (in French). Chamalières, France: Editions Artemis. p. 158. ISBN   978-2-84416-399-8.
  18. ↑ Polèse J-M, Deconchat C (2002). Champignons. L'encyclopédie (in French). Chamalières, France: Editions Artemis. p. 235. ISBN   978-2-84416-145-1.
  19. 1 2 Arora D. (1986). Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi. Berkeley, California: Ten Speed Press. pp. 158–59. ISBN   978-0-89815-169-5.
  20. ↑ Kaiser P. (1998). "Relations of Leucopaxillus giganteus, basidiomycete of fairy rings, with soil microflora and grassland plants". Cryptogamie, Mycologie. 19 (1–2): 45–61. ISSN   0181-1584.
  21. 1 2 3 Hall IR. (2003). Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of the World. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. p. 159. ISBN   978-0-88192-586-9.
  22. 1 2 Ribeiro B, Andrade PB, Baptista P, Barros L, Ferreira IC, Seabra RM, Valentão P (2008). "Leucopaxillus giganteus mycelium: effect of nitrogen source on organic acids and alkaloids". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 56 (12): 4769–74. doi:10.1021/jf8001526. hdl: 10198/3689 . PMID   18494481.
  23. ↑ Pilat Á, Ušák O (1961). Mushrooms and other Fungi. London, UK: Peter Nevill. pp. 49–50.
  24. ↑ Kibby G. (2006). Guide to Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe (Philips Guide). London, UK: Philip's. p. 137. ISBN   978-0-540-08936-9.
  25. ↑ Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p. 118. ISBN   978-0-7627-3109-1.
  26. ↑ Burrows I. (2005). Food from the Wild. New Holland Publishers. p. 109. ISBN   978-1-84330-891-1.
  27. ↑ Kimura MT. (1980). "Evolution of food preferences in fungus-feeding Drosophila: An ecological study". Evolution. 34 (5): 1009–18. doi:10.2307/2408009. JSTOR   2408009. PMID   28581130.
  28. ↑ Müller-Stoll WR. (1990). "The antibiotic activity of clitocybine and nebularine from Leucopaxillus giganteus and Clitocybe nebularis". Zeitschrift für Mykologie. 56 (1): 167–86. ISSN   0170-110X.
  29. ↑ Barros L; Baptista P; Estevinho LM; Ferreira ICFR (2007). "Bioactive properties of the medicinal mushroom Leucopaxillus giganteus mycelium obtained in the presence of different nitrogen sources". Food Chemistry. 105 (1): 179–86. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.03.063. hdl: 10198/833 .
  30. ↑ Hollande AC. (1945). "Lyse massive des bacilles de Koch chez la Cobaye après traitement à la clitocybine. Pouvoir inhibiteur de ce produit vis-à-vis du bacille typhique, du colibacille, de Brucella abortus etc". Comptes Rendus de l'Académie des Sciences (in French). 221: 361–63.
  31. ↑ Ren G, Zhao YP, Yang L, Fu CX (2008). "Anti-proliferative effect of clitocine from the mushroom Leucopaxillus giganteus on human cervical cancer HeLa cells by inducing apoptosis". Cancer Letters. 262 (2): 190–200. doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2007.12.013. PMID   18222036.
  32. ↑ Barros L; Ferreira ICFR; Baptista P. (2007). "Phenolics and antioxidant activity of mushroom Leucopaxillus giganteus mycelium at different carbon sources". Food Science and Technology International. 14 (1): 47–55. doi:10.1177/1082013208090094. hdl: 10198/836 . S2CID   53992113.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Leucopaxillus giganteus at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.