Chlorophyllum molybdites, commonly known as the green-spored parasol,[1]green-gill parasol,[2]false parasol, green-spored lepiota and vomiter, is a common species of mushroom found in temperate and subtropical meadows and lawns.
The species is poisonous and causes potentially serious vomiting and diarrhea. It is the most commonly consumed poisonous mushroom in North America, often being misidentified as edible species like Chlorophyllum rhacodes (the shaggy parasol) and Macrolepiota procera (parasol mushroom).
Description
The pileus (cap) ranges from 8 to 30cm (3.1 to 12in) in diameter, hemispherical and with a flattened top. The cap is whitish in colour with coarse brownish scales. The gills are free and white, usually turning dark and green with maturity. It has a rare green spore print.[3] The stipe ranges from 5 to 30cm (2.0 to 12in) tall and bears a double-edged ring.[3] Its stem lacks the snakeskin pattern that is generally present on the parasol mushroom.[4] The flesh is thick, and though firm at first, softens with age. It is white, though the base of the foot can sporadically become reddish-brown to pale reddish-pink or almost orange when cut or crushed.[5]
Distribution and habitat
Chlorophyllum molybdites grows in meadows, lawns and parks across eastern North America,[6] as well as temperate and subtropical regions around the world.[7] Fruiting bodies generally appear after summer and autumn rains. It appears to have spread to other countries, with reports from Scotland, Australia, and Cyprus.[8]
Fairy ring
Chlorophyllum molybdites is sometimes called fairy ring mushroom since it often forms fairy rings.[9] A fairy ring gets it start when a spore released by a mushroom lands in a suitable substrate and begins developing into a mycelium. The hyphae of the mycelium then radiate away from the original spore as they seek nutrients underground. Under ideal conditions such as in a grass lawn where the nutrient supply is uniformly distributed, this radiation pattern is an evenly expanding circle. When the mycelium is ready to form reproductive fruitbodies that we see as mushrooms, those mushrooms will form at the periperhery of the circle, yielding a fairy ring. [10][11]
Since all the mushrooms of the ring arise from the same mycelium, they form a colony of genetically identical basidiocarps of one individual fungus. [12] Sometimes the decomposed waste products from the growing mycelium may fertilize the grass substrate, giving the ring the appearance of a lush circle with darker green blades than the surrounding grass.[13][14]
Chlorophyllum molybdites is the most frequently eaten poisonous mushroom in North America.[15] The symptoms, likely caused by the chemical compound molybdophyllysin, are predominantly gastrointestinal in nature, with vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains, often severe, occurring 1–3 hours after consumption.[7] Although these poisonings can be severe, particularly in children,[3] none have yet resulted in death.[16] Professor James Kimbrough writes:
Chlorophyllum molybdites, the green-spored Morgan's Lepiota, is responsible for the greatest number of cases of mushroom poisonings in North America, and in Florida. This is probably due to the fact that it is easily confused with choice edible species such as Lepiota procera and L.rhacodes, and it is one of the most common mushrooms found on lawns and pastures throughout the country, with the exception of the Pacific Northwest. When eaten raw C.molybdites produce severe symptoms, including bloody stools, within a couple of hours. When cooked well, or parboiled and decanting the liquid before cooking, others eat and enjoy it. Eilers and Nelso (1974) found a heat-labile, high molecular weight protein which showed an adverse effect when given by intraperitoneal injection into laboratory animals.[17]
Cases of poisoning from these mushrooms are also reported in Malaysia, where they are often mistaken for Termitomyces mushrooms that are found locally.[18] It also might be confused for Coprinus comatus (shaggy mane).
↑ Siegel, Noah; Schwartz, Christian (September 1, 2024). Mushrooms of Cascadia: A Comprehensive Guide to Fungi of the Pacific Northwest. Humboldt County, California: Backcountry Press. p.76. ISBN9781941624197.
1 2 Benjamin, Denis R. (1995). "Gastrointestinal syndrome". Mushrooms: poisons and panaceas — a handbook for naturalists, mycologists and physicians. New York: WH Freeman and Company. pp.351–377. ISBN0-7167-2600-9.
↑ Loizides M, Kyriakou T, Tziakouris A. (2011). Edible & Toxic Fungi of Cyprus (in Greek and English). Published by the authors. pp. 132–33. ISBN978-9963-7380-0-7.
↑ Thomas, Bob (June 17, 2007). "Fairy Rings". Delta Journal. C9. The Times-Picayune.
↑ Michael Kuo (January 2020). "Fairy Rings". MushroomExpert.Com.
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