''Chlorophyllum molybdites,'' which has the

common name In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often contrast ...

s of false parasol, green-spored Lepiota and vomiter, is a widespread mushroom. Poisonous and producing severe gastrointestinal symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, it is commonly conflated with the shaggy parasol or

shaggy mane ''Coprinus comatus'', the shaggy ink cap, lawyer's wig, or shaggy mane, is a common fungus often seen growing on lawns, along gravel roads and waste areas. The young fruit bodies first appear as white cylinders emerging from the ground, then t ...

, and is the most commonly misidentified poisonous mushroom in

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...

.Beug, Michael W
An Overview of Mushroom Poisonings in North America.
''The Mycophile'', vol. 45(2):4-5, March/April 2004 Its large size and similarity to the edible

parasol mushroom ''Macrolepiota procera'', the parasol mushroom, is a basidiomycete fungus with a large, prominent fruiting body resembling a parasol. It is a fairly common species on well-drained soils. It is found solitary or in groups and fairy rings in pas ...

, as well as its habit of growing in areas near human habitation, are reasons cited for this. The nature of the poisoning is predominantly gastrointestinal.

Description

It is an imposing mushroom with a pileus (cap) ranging 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 has a rare green spore print. The stipe ranges from 5 to 30 cm tall and bears a double-edged ring. This mushroom lacks the snakeskin pattern that is generally present on the

Distribution and habitat

''Chlorophyllum molybdites'' grows in lawns and parks across eastern

and California, 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 Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

, and Cyprus.

Toxicity

''Chlorophyllum molybdites'' is the most frequently eaten poisonous mushroom in North America. The symptoms are predominantly gastrointestinal in nature, with vomiting, diarrhea and colic, often severe, occurring 1–3 hours after consumption. Although these poisonings can be severe, particularly in children, none have yet resulted in death. 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.''Common Florida Mushrooms'', p. 325.

Gallery

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

References

External links

Mushroom Expert – ''Chlorophyllum molybdites''
* Huffington Post {{Taxonbar, from=Q146693 Poisonous fungi Agaricaceae Fungi found in fairy rings Fungi of Europe Fungi of North America Fungi of Africa