Chlorophyllum molybdites

Description

The pileus (cap) ranges from 8 to 30 cm 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 is the only large mushroom that has a green spore print. The stipe ranges from 5 to 30 cm tall and bears a double-edged ring. Its stem lacks the snakeskin pattern that is generally present on the parasol mushroom. 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.

Distribution and habitat

Chlorophyllum molybdites grows in meadows, lawns and parks across eastern North America, as well as temperate and subtropical regions around the world. Fruiting bodies generally appear after summer and autumn rains. It appears to have spread to other countries, with reports from Scotland, Australia, and Cyprus.

Chlorophyllum molybdites is sometimes called fairy ring mushroom since it often forms fairy rings.

| Fairy ring on a suburban lawn 100 1851.jpg|Fairy ring about 2 meters diameter, Queensland, Australia Chlorophyllum_molybdites-fairy_ring.jpg|Fairy ring about 6 meters diameter, Arizona, USA

Toxicity

Chlorophyllum molybdites is the most frequently eaten poisonous mushroom in North America. 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. Although these poisonings can be severe, particularly in children, deaths from these mushrooms have been incredibly rare (and have mainly occurred in small children and dogs).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.

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

Gallery

File:Young specimen of Chlorophyllum molybdites.jpg|Young specimen of Chlorohyllum molybdites File:Chlorophyllum molybdites Crop 2013-09-10.jpg|In Osaka File:Chlorophyllum.Molybdites.003.jpg|Chlorophyllum molybdites File:Chlorophyllum.Molybdites.001.jpg|Chlorophyllum molybdites File:Chlorophyllum molybdites young.JPG|A young false parasol mushroom File:Chlorophyllum molybdites spore print.jpg|Chlorophyllum molybdites spore print showing its green color File:Chlorophyllum molybdites in Argentina.jpg|Chlorophyllum molybdites registered in Escobar, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina File:Chlorophyllum molybdites DSCN3139.jpg|Chlorophyllum molybdites in Ranchi, India File:Chlorophyllum molybdites DSCN3144.jpg|Chlorophyllum molybdites in Ranchi, India File:Chlorophyllum molybdites gill DSCN3143.jpg|Chlorophyllum molybdites underside of the cap File:Green spores of Chlorophyllum molybdites.jpg|The species' green spores on a mature fruiting body

References

References

1. Arora, David. (1986). "Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi". [[Ten Speed Press]].
2. (September 1, 2024). "Mushrooms of Cascadia: A Comprehensive Guide to Fungi of the Pacific Northwest". Backcountry Press.
3. (2012). "Field Guide to Mushrooms of Western North America". [[University of California Press]].
4. "''Chlorophyllum molybdites''". N.C. Cooperative Extension.
5. "How to not pass up a parasol and how not to".
6. Kuo, M. (Jan 2020). "Chlorophyllum molybdites".
7. [[Audubon]]. (2023). "Mushrooms of North America". [[Knopf]].
8. Benjamin, Denis R.. (1995). "Mushrooms: poisons and panaceas — a handbook for naturalists, mycologists and physicians". WH Freeman and Company.
9. 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.
10. (June 17, 2007). "Fairy Rings". The Times-Picayune.
11. Beug, Michael W. [http://www.cmsweb.org/articles/poisonings_in_NA.htm An Overview of Mushroom Poisonings in North America.] {{webarchive. link. (2010-05-20 ''The Mycophile'', vol. 45(2):4-5, March/April 2004)
12. (24 July 2023). "Green-spored parasol (Chlorophyllum molybdites)".
13. (2 May 2013). "Florida expert: Keep pets, livestock away from false parasol mushrooms".
14. ''Common Florida Mushrooms'', p. 325.
15. Phan Chia Wei. (17 December 2018). "Preventing fatal harvest of mushrooms".