Leucopaxillus albissimus

Leucopaxillus albissimus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Tricholomataceae
Genus:	Leucopaxillus
Species:	L. albissimus
Binomial name
Leucopaxillus albissimus (Peck) Singer (1939)
Synonyms
Agaricus albissimusPeck (1873)

Leucopaxillus albissimus Mycological characteristics
	Gills on hymenium
	Cap is convex or flat
	Hymenium is decurrent
	Stipe is bare
	Spore print is white
	Ecology is saprotrophic
	Edibility is inedible

Leucopaxillus albissimus, commonly known as the large white leucopaxillus, ^[1] 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 inedible.

Description

The species is generally white, with albissimus meaning 'whitest' in Latin. ^[2]

The cap is 4–20 centimetres (1+1⁄2–8 in) wide, exceptionally up to 40 cm, ^[1] and slowly changes from convex to plane; occasionally the disc is depressed. When young, the margin is incurved and faintly striate. The cap's surface is dry, unpolished, and smooth; in moderate weather, it becomes scaled and a shade of cream to cream-buff. ^[3] As it ages, the cap's surface turns buff-tan. Overall, the flesh is white, moderately thick, and has a mild odor. ^[4]

The gills are crowded, broad, and decurrent. Although they are originally cream-colored, the gills turn buff-tan with age. ^[1] Varying from 3–7 cm in length, the stipe is 2.5–4 cm thick, stout, and often enlarged at the base. The surface of the stipe varies from smooth to finely-scaled and is a cream color when young; it may turn buff-tan in age. When handled, it bruises pale buff-brown at the base. ^[5]

The spore print is white. The elliptical spores are ornamented with amyloid warts. The spores measure 5–7 x 3.5–5  μm. ^[6]

The species demonstrates a tendency not to rot, with the biological reason for this unknown. ^{[2] [7] [8]}

• 
  Spores

Similar species

Leucopaxillus gentianeus is closely related. Clitocybe species may appear similar due to the decurrent gills. ^[9]

Habitat

Primarily residing under conifers and hardwoods, L. albimissus is often scattered or gregarious in arcs or rings. It fruits from mid to late winter in California, and in autumn in other parts of North America. ^[10]

Edibility

It is considered inedible, ^[11] resisting all but the most thorough cooking. ^[1]

References

1. Arora, David (1986) [1979]. Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi (2nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. pp. 167–168. ISBN   978-0-89815-170-1.
2. Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 111. ISBN   978-0-88192-935-5.
3. McKenny et al.: p. 83
4. Kuo, M. (February 2007). "Leucopaxillus albissimus". MushroomExpert.Com. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
5. Arora (1991): p. 58
6. Lincoff GH (1981). The Audubon Society field guide to North American mushrooms. Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN   0-394-51992-2.
7. "Rogers Mushrooms ; Mushroom Pictures & Mushroom Reference". Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
8. Wood, Michael; Stevens, Fred. "California Fungi—Leucopaxillus albissimus". MykoWeb. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
9. Davis, R. Michael; Sommer, Robert; Menge, John A. (2012). Field Guide to Mushrooms of Western North America. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 138. ISBN   978-0-520-95360-4. OCLC   797915861.
10. Miller: sp. 160
11. Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 67. ISBN   978-1-55407-651-2.