''Clitocybe odora'', also known as the aniseed toadstool, is a blue-green mushroom that grows near deciduous and

coniferous Conifers are a group of cone-bearing seed plants, a subset of gymnosperms. Scientifically, they make up the division Pinophyta (), also known as Coniferophyta () or Coniferae. The division contains a single extant class, Pinopsida. All extant ...

trees. They can be found growing in small groups along the side of tree roots. This mushroom is edible, but a few expert mushroom hunters insist that young specimens should be avoided as can be confused with ''

Stropharia aeruginosa ''Stropharia aeruginosa'', commonly known as the verdigris agaric, is a medium-sized green, slimy woodland mushroom, found on lawns, mulch and woodland from spring to autumn. The edibility of this mushroom is controversial - some sources claim t ...

''. The

anise Anise (; '), also called aniseed or rarely anix is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae native to Eurasia. The flavor and aroma of its seeds have similarities with some other spices and herbs, such as star anise, fennel, licorice, and ta ...

odor is due to the presence of ''p''-anisaldehyde and a small amount of

benzaldehyde Benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO) is an organic compound consisting of a benzene ring with a formyl substituent. It is the simplest aromatic aldehyde and one of the most industrially useful. It is a colorless liquid with a characteristic almond-like odor. ...

. This odor can give away the mushroom's presence before it is observed by eye.

Taxonomy

First described by the French mycologist

Jean Baptiste Francois Pierre Bulliard Jean may refer to: People * Jean (female given name) * Jean (male given name) * Jean (surname) Fictional characters * Jean Grey, a Marvel Comics character * Jean Valjean, fictional character in novel ''Les Misérables'' and its adaptations * J ...

(1742–1793). The

specific epithet In taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called nomenclature ("two-name naming system") or binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, bot ...

''odora'' is from the Latin meaning "perfumed".

Description

Young specimens have a light blue texture on the cap which fades to grey in age. The gills and

stem Stem or STEM may refer to: Plant structures * Plant stem, a plant's aboveground axis, made of vascular tissue, off which leaves and flowers hang * Stipe (botany), a stalk to support some other structure * Stipe (mycology), the stem of a mushro ...

are white with no

ring Ring may refer to: * Ring (jewellery), a round band, usually made of metal, worn as ornamental jewelry * To make a sound with a bell, and the sound made by a bell :(hence) to initiate a telephone connection Arts, entertainment and media Film and ...

. Full grown specimens have blue-green, flowery, cup-shaped caps; the gills are creamy white, or reflect the blue-green color of the cap. The cap's surface feels rough. The stem is thick, is attached to the gills with no rings, and is textured, with a pale-yellow colour. The younger ones have a bell-shaped cap with a light blue or icy blue colour. The gills and stem are white, or bluish green. It has a strong scent and taste of aniseed, hence its name. There is a white variety (''Clitocybe odora var.alba''

Lange Lange may refer to: People *Lange (surname), a German surname * Lange (musician) (born 1974), British DJ * Lange (Brazilian footballer) (born 1966), Brazilian footballer Companies * Lange (ski boots), a producer of ski boots used in alpine (dow ...

) that has the same strong odour. File:2011-11-20 Clitocybe odora (Bull.) P. Kumm 183658.jpg File:Anistrichterling003.JPG, Gills and stipe File:Clitocybe odora - Lindsey 3a.jpg, Cap File:Trichterling Anis-.JPG, Cap File:The fragrant agaric or aniseed toadstool (Clitocybe odora); Wellcome V0043338.jpg, ''Clitocybe odora'' four fruiting bodies. Watercolour, 1887. Iconographic Collections

Distribution and habitat

Found in both deciduous, and

woods, it is widespread in the temperate zones, occurring in Asia, Europe, and North America. On the East Coast of North America it favours oak woodland, but it is often abundant in the coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest.

Edibility

The caps can be dried, and used as a condiment, or used fresh for flavouring. Mushroom hunters should be sure to pick mature ones, mainly because the younger ones can be confused with several similar poisonous ones that grow along with this mushroom. Every part of the mushroom should be examined before collecting for the table. Also, the stem and the cut cap should be checked to see if there are any fly larvae. Some guides recommend avoiding eating the species.

References

External links

* *
Volatile composition of fresh Clitocybe odora fruiting bodies

Mycologia - The anise-like odor of Clitocybe odora, Lentinellus cochleatus and Agaricus essettei

{{Taxonbar, from=Q913466 odora Edible fungi Fungi of Europe Taxa named by Jean Baptiste François Pierre Bulliard Fungi described in 1784