Chlorophyllum molybdites

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Green-spored parasol
Chlorophyllum molybdites
Chlorophyllum molybdites Guadalajara.jpg
Picture of the fungi
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Agaricaceae
Genus: Chlorophyllum
Species:
C. molybdites
Binomial name
Chlorophyllum molybdites
(G. Mey.) Massee (1898)
Synonyms

Agaricus molybdites
Lepiota molybdites
Leucocoprinus molybdites
Macrolepiota molybdites
Lepiota morgani

Contents

Chlorophyllum molybdites
Information icon.svg
Gills icon.png Gills on hymenium
Flat cap icon.svg Cap is flat
Free gills icon2.svg Hymenium is free
Ring stipe icon.svg Stipe has a ring
Transparent spore print icon.svg
Spore print is green
Saprotrophic fungus.svgEcology is saprotrophic
Mycomorphbox Poison.pngEdibility is poisonous

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 30 cm (3.1 to 12 in) 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 30 cm (2.0 to 12 in) 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]

Toxicity

Chlorophyllum molybdites is the most frequently eaten poisonous mushroom in North America. [9] 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. [10] 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. [11]

Cases of poisoning from these mushrooms are also reported in Malaysia, where they are often mistaken for Termitomyces mushrooms that are found locally. [12] It also might be confused for Coprinus comatus (shaggy mane).

References

  1. Arora, David (1986) [1979]. Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi (2nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. pp. 295–96. ISBN   978-0-89815-170-1.
  2. 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. ISBN   9781941624197.
  3. 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. p. 85. ISBN   978-0-520-95360-4. OCLC   797915861.
  4. "How to not pass up a parasol and how not to". Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  5. Kuo, M (Jan 2020). "Chlorophyllum molybdites".
  6. Audubon (2023). Mushrooms of North America. Knopf. p. 558. ISBN   978-0-593-31998-7.
  7. 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. ISBN   0-7167-2600-9.
  8. Loizides M, Kyriakou T, Tziakouris A. (2011). Edible & Toxic Fungi of Cyprus (in Greek and English). Published by the authors. pp. 132–33. ISBN   978-9963-7380-0-7.
  9. Beug, Michael W. An Overview of Mushroom Poisonings in North America. Archived 2010-05-20 at the Wayback Machine The Mycophile, vol. 45(2):4-5, March/April 2004
  10. "Chlorophyllum molybdites". Urban Mushrooms.
  11. Common Florida Mushrooms, p. 325.
  12. Phan Chia Wei (17 December 2018). "Preventing fatal harvest of mushrooms". Asia Research News. Retrieved 14 July 2023.

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