Lepiota castaneidisca

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Lepiota castaneidisca
Lepiota castaneidisca AlanRockefeller.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Agaricaceae
Genus: Lepiota
Species:
L. castaneidisca
Binomial name
Lepiota castaneidisca
Murrill (1912)
Lepiota castaneidisca
Information icon.svg
Gills icon.png Gills on hymenium
Campanulate cap icon.svg Cap is campanulate
Free gills icon2.svg Hymenium is free
Ring stipe icon.svg Stipe has a ring
Transparent spore print icon.svg
Spore print is white
Saprotrophic fungus.svgEcology is saprotrophic
Mycomorphbox Question.pngEdibility is unknown

Lepiota castaneidisca is a species of agaric fungus in the family Agaricaceae. Formally described in 1912, it was for a long time considered the same species as the similar Lepiota cristata until molecular analysis reported in 2001 demonstrated that it was genetically distinct. It is most common in coastal and northern California, and has also been recorded in Mexico. A saprobic species, it is usually found under redwood and Monterey cypress. Its fruit bodies (mushrooms) have white caps with an orange-red to orange-brown center that measure up to 3.2 cm (1.3 in) wide. The cream-colored to light pink stems are up to 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long by 0.2–0.6 cm (0.1–0.2 in) thick, and have a ring. L. castaneidisca can be distinguished from other similar Lepiota species by differences in habitat, macroscopic, or microscopic characteristics.

Contents

Systematics

The species was first described as new to science by mycologist William Alphonso Murrill in 1912. Murrill collected the type material growing near redwoods near Searsville Lake, California, in December 1911. [1] In 1914, [2] Murrill decided that the species was the same as Lepiota cristata (which he called Lepiota conspurcata (Willd.) Morgan); this opinion was later corroborated by Walter Sundberg in 1989 after he studied the type collection and concluded that the microscopic characteristics of both were the same. [3] Using molecular analysis based on comparing DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region, mycologist Else Vellinga determined that despite the lack of distinguishing micro-morphological characteristics, the two species were distinct. [4]

The epithet castaneidisca refers to the chestnut-colored center of the cap. Lepiota means "the scaly one". [5]

Description

A young fruit body Lepiota castaneidisca younger.JPG
A young fruit body
Spores 1000x Lepiota castaneidisca spores.JPG
Spores 1000x

The fruit bodies of Lepiota castaneidisca have white, bell-shaped to convex caps 0.8 to 3.2 cm (0.3 to 1.3 in) in diameter, with an orange-reddish to pale orange-brown center. Mature specimens fade and lose the reddish shades. The cap surface develops small pale pink or cream patches (especially on the outermost zone) on a white background that has radially arranged fibrils. [4] The gills are somewhat crowded to moderately distant, [5] with typically 40–45 full length gills, and 1–5 tiers of interspersed lamellulae (short gills that do not extend fully from the cap margin to the stem). They are slightly ventricose, measuring 2.5–5 mm wide, and have a white fringed or irregular edge. [4] Whitish when young and cream-colored in age, they have a free gill attachment to the stem. The stem is 25–65 mm (1.0–2.6 in) long by 2–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) thick, cylindrical, slightly widened at the base, hollow, and fibrillose. Its color is pinkish in the lower part, and it stains reddish where damaged, especially in older specimens. [5] The flesh is whitish, sometimes with cream tones, or reddish-brown in mature specimens. [4] There is a ring that points upward in young specimens, but in maturity it degrades to remnants that are left behind on the stem. It has a sharp odor similar to rubber or cod liver oil. [5] The mushroom is not known to be poisonous, but consumption is not recommended due to the risk of possible confusion with Lepiota species that contain deadly amatoxins. [6]

The smooth, dextrinoid spores are in side view triangular with a spurred base, in frontal view oblong, and typically measure 5–9 by 3–4  μm. [4] Staining with Cresyl blue shows them to be somewhat metachromatic, and binucleate. [7] Cystidia on the gill edge (cheilocystidia) are club-shaped to cylindric or sometimes spheropedunculate (somewhat spherical with a stem), and have dimensions of 20–44 by 6.5–13.5 μm. Basidia are 18–30 by 5–8  μm, mostly four-spored, and are absent on the gill edge. Pleurocystidia (cystidia on the gill face) are absent. The cap cuticle is a hymeniderm (lengthened cells arranged side by side) with mostly colorless elements of different lengths, measuring 16–62 by 8–18 μm. [5] The stipitipellis (outer covering of the stem) comprises a layer of colorless hyphae measuring about 2–3 μm wide. Clamp connections are present in the hyphae of all parts of the fungus. [4]

Similar species

Lepiota cristata is a lookalike species. Lepiota cristata 20070819w.jpg
Lepiota cristata is a lookalike species.

Lepiota castaneidisca closely resembles L. cristata (with which it has commonly been confused), [6] but it has a more rounded cap, lacks an umbo, and is reddish- or pinkish-brown, rather than orange-brown. [4] L. cristata, which is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, prefers habitats where the natural vegetational cover has been disturbed by humans, or in the beds of rivers and creeks; in contrast, L. castaneidisca is found in natural, undisturbed habitats. [5] Other similar species in similar habitats with which L. castaneidisca could be confused include L. thiersii and L. neophana ; in contrast to L. castaneidisca, both of the latter two species have ellipsoid spores. [4] The fruit bodies of L. thiersii appear from November through April, and grow scattered or in groups under cypress. It usually lacks the reddish color in the center of the cap associated with L. castaneidisca, and its spores are not as long, with dimensions of 4.7–6.3 by 3.1–3.9 μm. L. neophana is a rare species, but more widely distributed in the United States than L. castaneidisca, as it has been reported from Ohio and Michigan in addition to California. It also fruits under cypress, usually between December and April. This mushroom is most readily distinguished from L. castaneidisca by the dark brown to blackish-brown color of the cap center. [3]

Habitat and distribution

Lepiota castaneidisca is a saprobic fungus. [4] Fruit bodies appear in the late fall and winter (November to February), where they grow gregariously near cypress, redwood or in mixed coast live oak forests. The fungus is common in coastal and northern California, and is often found in the San Francisco Bay Area. [5] The northern limit of its distribution is Washington state [7] and southern British Columbia, and it has been recorded as far south as Mexico. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Lepiota</i> Genus of fungi

Lepiota is a genus of gilled mushrooms in the family Agaricaceae. All Lepiota species are ground-dwelling saprotrophs with a preference for rich, calcareous soils. Basidiocarps are agaricoid with whitish spores, typically with scaly caps and a ring on the stipe. Around 400 species of Lepiota are currently recognized worldwide. Many species are poisonous, some lethally so.

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

Lepiota brunneoincarnata, the deadly dapperling, is a gilled mushroom of the genus Lepiota in the order Agaricales. Widely distributed in Europe and temperate regions of Asia as far east as China, it grows in grassy areas such as fields, parks and gardens, and is often mistaken for edible mushrooms. The mushroom has a brown scaled cap up to 4 cm wide with a pinkish brown stem and white gills. It is highly toxic, with several deaths having been recorded as it resembles the edible grey knight and fairy ring champignon.

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

Lepiota ignivolvata, sometimes known commonly as the orange-girdled parasol, is a fairly rare member of the gilled mushroom genus Lepiota. It is among the larger species in this group, growing in coniferous or deciduous woodland during autumn; it has a primarily European distribution. Being inedible, and perhaps poisonous, it should not be gathered for culinary use. Many of the species in this genus are deadly.

<i>Macrolepiota clelandii</i> Species of mushroom-forming fungus

Macrolepiota clelandii, commonly known as the slender parasol or graceful parasol, is a species of mushroom-forming fungus in the family Agaricaceae. The species is found in Australia and New Zealand, where it fruits singly or in small groups on the ground in eucalypt woodlands, parks, and roadsides. It is a tall mushroom up to roughly 20 cm (8 in), with a broad cap covered with distinctive rings of dark brown scales. The whitish gills on the cap underside are closely spaced and free from attachment to the slender stipe, which has a loose ring on its upper half, and a bulbous base. The edibility of the mushroom is not known with certainty, but closely related parasol mushrooms are edible and some are very sought after.

<i>Xerocomellus zelleri</i> Species of fungus

Xerocomellus zelleri, commonly known as Zeller's bolete, is an edible species of mushroom in the family Boletaceae. First described scientifically by American mycologist William Alphonso Murrill in 1912, the species has been juggled by various authors to several genera, including Boletus, Boletellus, and Xerocomus. Found solely in western North America from British Columbia south to Mexico, the fruit bodies are distinguished by their dark reddish brown to nearly black caps with uneven surfaces, the yellow pores on the underside of the caps, and the red-streaked yellow stems. The fungus grows in summer and autumn on the ground, often in Douglas fir forests or on their margins. The development of the fruit bodies is gymnocarpic, meaning that the hymenium appears and develops to maturity in an exposed state, not enclosed by any protective membrane.

<i>Pholiota flammans</i> Species of fungus

Pholiota flammans, commonly known as the yellow pholiota, the flaming Pholiota, or the flame scalecap, is a basidiomycete agaric mushroom of the genus Pholiota. Its fruit body is golden-yellow in color throughout, while its cap and stem are covered in sharp scales. As it is a saprobic fungus, the fruit bodies typically appear in clusters on the stumps of dead coniferous trees. P. flammans is distributed throughout Europe, North America, and Asia in boreal and temperate regions. Its edibility has not been clarified.

<i>Lactarius argillaceifolius</i> Species of fungus

Lactarius argillaceifolius is a species of fungus in the family Russulaceae. The mushrooms produced by the fungus have convex to flattened drab lilac-colored caps that are up to 18 cm (7.1 in) wide. The cream-colored gills are closely spaced together and extend slightly down the length of the stem, which is up to 9 cm (3.5 in) long by 3.5 cm (1.4 in) thick. The mushroom produces an off-white latex when injured that stains the mushroom tissue brownish.

<i>Lactarius rufulus</i> Species of fungus

Lactarius rufulus, commonly known as the rufous candy cap, is a species of fungus in the family Russulaceae. The fruit bodies have fleshy brownish-red caps up to 10 cm (3.9 in) wide, and closely spaced pinkish-yellow gills. The stem is up to 12 cm (4.7 in) long and 3 cm (1.2 in) thick and colored similarly to the cap. The species, known only from California, Arizona, and Mexico, grows on the ground in leaf litter near oak trees. The fruit bodies resembles those of L. rufus, but L. rufulus tends to grow in clusters at a common base, rather than solitarily or in groups. A distinguishing microscopic characteristic is the near absence of large, spherical cells called sphaerocysts that are otherwise common in Lactarius species. Lactarius rufulus mushrooms are edible, and have an odor resembling maple syrup. They have been used to flavor confections and desserts.

<i>Agaricus hondensis</i> Species of fungus in the family Agaricaceae

Agaricus hondensis, commonly known as the felt-ringed agaricus, is a species of fungus in the family Agaricaceae. The species was officially described in 1912 by mycologist William Alphonso Murrill, along with three other Agaricus species that have since been placed in synonymy with A. hondensis. Found in the Pacific Northwest region of North America, A. hondensis fruits in the fall under conifers or in mixed forests.

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

Lepiota harithaka is an agaric mushroom of the genus Lepiota in the order Agaricales. It was described as new to science in 2009. Found in Kerala State, India, fruit bodies of the fungus grow on the ground among bamboo roots.

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

Lepiota cristata, commonly known as the stinking dapperling, brown-eyed parasol, or the stinking parasol, is an agaric and possibly poisonous mushroom in the family Agaricaceae. A common and widespread species—one of the most widespread fungi in the genus Lepiota—it has been reported from Europe, northern Asia, North America, and New Zealand. It fruits on the ground in disturbed areas, such as lawns, path and road edges, parks, and gardens. The species produces fruit bodies characterized by the flat, reddish-brown concentric scales on the caps, and an unpleasant odour resembling burnt rubber. Similar Lepiota species can sometimes be distinguished from L. cristata by differences in cap colour, stipe structure, or odour, although some species can only be reliably distinguished through the use of microscopy.

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

Lepiota maculans is a rare species of agaric fungus in the family Agaricaceae. It was originally collected in Missouri, and then 105 years later in eastern Tennessee. It is the only member of Lepiota known to have a pink spore print instead of the usual white or cream color. The fruit bodies have caps up to 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter, with brownish, sparsely scaled centers. The gills are closely spaced, not attached to the stipe, and discolor reddish at the edges.

Lepiota cristatanea is a species of agaric fungus in the family Agaricaceae. Described as new to science in 2011, it is found in China. The mushroom is similar to the widespread species Lepiota cristata but can be distinguished by its smaller spores.

<i>Chlorophyllum hortense</i> Species of fungus

Chlorophyllum hortense is a species of agaric fungus in the family Agaricaceae.

<i>Leucoagaricus barssii</i> Species of fungus

Leucoagaricus barssii, commonly known as the smoky dapperling, or gray parasol, is a species of fungus in the family Agaricaceae.

Leucocoprinus tricolor is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Agaricaceae.

Leucocoprinus muticolor is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Agaricaceae.

Leucocoprinus velutipes is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Agaricaceae.

Leucoagaricus griseosquamosus is a species of mushroom-producing fungus in the family Agaricaceae.

Leucocoprinus minimus is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Agaricaceae.

References

  1. Murrill WA. (1912). "The Agaricaceae of the Pacific Coast – II. White and ochre-spored genera". Mycologia. 4 (5): 231–62. doi:10.2307/3753448. JSTOR   3753448.
  2. Murrill WA. (1914). "Agaricaceae". North American Flora. 10 (1): 41–65.
  3. 1 2 Sundberg WJ. (1989). "Lepiota sensu lato in California III. Species with a hymeniform pileipellis". Mycotaxon. 34 (1): 239–48.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Vellinga E. (2001). "Studies in Lepiota IV. Lepiota cristata and L. castaneidisca". Mycotaxon. 80: 297–305.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Vellinga E. (2007). "Lepiota castaneidisca" (PDF). Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  6. 1 2 Wood M, Stevens F. "Lepiota castaneidisca Murrill". California Fungi. MykoWeb. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  7. 1 2 Vellinga E. (2010). "Lepiota in California: species with a hymeniform pileus covering". Mycologia. 102 (3): 664–74. doi:10.3852/09-180. PMID   20524598. S2CID   9398965.
  8. Aroche RM, Cifuentes J, Lorea F, Fuentes P, Bonavides J, García H, Menendez E, Aguilar O, Valenzuela V (1984). "Macromicetos tóxicos y comestibles de una región comunal del Valle de México" [Toxic and edible mushrooms in a community of the valley of Mexico 1]. Boletin de la Sociedad Mexicana de Micologia (in Spanish) (19): 291–318. ISSN   0085-6223.