''Gliophorus psittacinus'', commonly known as the parrot toadstool or parrot waxcap, is a colourful member of the genus ''Gliophorus'', found across Northern Europe. It was formerly known as ''Hygrocybe psittacina'', but a

molecular phylogenetics Molecular phylogenetics () is the branch of phylogeny that analyzes genetic, hereditary molecular differences, predominantly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. From these analyses, it is possible to ...

study found it to belong in the genus '' Gliophorus''. It had already been placed in ''Gliophorus'', but it had been considered a synonym of ''

Hygrocybe ''Hygrocybe'' is a genus of agarics (gilled fungi) in the family (biology), family Hygrophoraceae. Called waxcaps in English (sometimes waxy caps in North America), basidiocarps (fruit bodies) are often brightly coloured and have dry to waxy pile ...

''.

Description

The parrot toadstool is a small mushroom, with a convex to

umbonate '' Cantharellula umbonata'' has an umbo. The cap of '' Psilocybe makarorae'' is acutely papillate.">papillate.html" ;"title="Psilocybe makarorae'' is acutely papillate">Psilocybe makarorae'' is acutely papillate. An umbo is a raised area in the ...

cap A cap is a flat headgear, usually with a visor. Caps have crowns that fit very close to the head. They made their first appearance as early as 3200 BC. Caps typically have a visor, or no brim at all. They are popular in casual and informal se ...

up to in diameter, which is green when young and later yellowish or even pinkish tinged. The stipe, measuring in length and 3–5 mm in width, is green to greenish yellow. The broad adnate

gills A gill () is a respiratory organ that many aquatic organisms use to extract dissolved oxygen from water and to excrete carbon dioxide. The gills of some species, such as hermit crabs, have adapted to allow respiration on land provided they are ...

are greenish with yellow edges and spore print white. The green colouring persists at the stem apex even in old specimens. The spores are white, elliptical, smooth and inamyloid. Its odour and taste are mild. There are no known chemical tests. It fruits late summer to autumn (September to November).

Distribution and habitat

''Gliophorus psittacinus'' is widely distributed in grasslands in western Europe, United Kingdom, Iceland, Greenland, the Americas, South Africa, Japan, being found in late summer and autumn. In Europe it is apparently in decline due to the degradation of habitats. Early Australian records of this form have been found to be the similar green toadstools '' Gliophorus graminicolor'' or '' G. viridis'' on reexamination. Gliophorus psittacinus is known to occur at one site in the

Lane Cove River The Lane Cove River, a northern tributary of the Parramatta River, is a tide-dominated, drowned valley estuary west of Sydney Harbour, located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The river is a tributary of the Parramatta River, winding throu ...

valley near

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

.D.W. Noble, Fungi of the Sydney Region Facebook Group - July 2019

Edibility

''Gliophorus psittacinus'' is generally considered edible, but not worthwhile due to its small size and sliminess. Consumption of over 20 specimens in one sitting can cause

gastrointestinal disorders Gastrointestinal diseases (abbrev. GI diseases or GI illnesses) refer to diseases involving the gastrointestinal tract, namely the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum, and the accessory organs of digestion, the live ...

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q54366473, from2=Q177209 Edible fungi Fungi of Europe Fungi of Asia Fungi of Africa Taxa named by Jacob Christian Schäffer Fungi described in 1774 Fungi of Iceland Hygrophoraceae