''Hebeloma crustuliniforme'', commonly known as poison pie or fairy cakes, is a

gilled mushroom An agaric () is a type of fungus fruiting body characterized by the presence of a pileus (cap) that is clearly differentiated from the stipe (stalk), with lamellae (gills) on the underside of the pileus. In the UK, agarics are called "mushrooms ...

of the genus '' Hebeloma'' found in

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located entirel ...

and North America, and has been introduced into Australia. Its specific name derives from the

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

''crustulum'' or little biscuit. It is moderately poisonous.

Description

The

buff Buff or BUFF may refer to: People * Buff (surname), a list of people * Buff (nickname), a list of people * Johnny Buff, ring name of American world champion boxer John Lisky (1888–1955) * Buff Bagwell, a ring name of American professional ...

to pale tan

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 ...

is 3–10 cm in diameter, convex then

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 ...

with an inrolled cap margin until old. The gills are pale grey-brown, with orange to brown spores and exude droplets in moist conditions. The stipe is 4–9 cm high and .5–1.5 cm thick, with a wider base. It bears no ring, while the thick flesh is white. The fungus has a

radish The radish (''Raphanus raphanistrum'' subsp. ''sativus'') is an edible root vegetable of the family Brassicaceae that was domesticated in Asia prior to Roman times. Radishes are grown and consumed throughout the world, being mostly eaten raw ...

-like smell and bitter taste. The

spores In biology, a spore is a unit of sexual or asexual reproduction that may be adapted for dispersal and for survival, often for extended periods of time, in unfavourable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many plants, algae, ...

are brown, elliptical, and somewhat rough.

Similar species

Similar species include '' Hebeloma sinapizans'' and '' Hebeloma insigne''.

Distribution and habitat

A common mushroom, ''Hebeloma crustuliniforme'' can be found in open woodland and heathland in summer and autumn, though may also be found in winter in places with milder climates such as

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

. As of December 2022, hebeloma.org lists collections from 18 countries including most parts of Europe, from both coasts of Northern America and a small number of collections in

Victoria, Australia Victoria is a state in southeastern Australia. It is the second-smallest state with a land area of , the second most populated state (after New South Wales) with a population of over 6.5 million, and the most densely populated state in ...

Toxicity

This fungus is poisonous, the symptoms being those of a severe gastrointestinal nature, namely vomiting, diarrhea and

colic Colic or cholic () is a form of pain that starts and stops abruptly. It occurs due to muscular contractions of a hollow tube (small and large intestine, gall bladder, ureter, etc.) in an attempt to relieve an obstruction by forcing content out. ...

ky abdominal pain several hours after consumption.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q180150 crustuliniforme Fungi of Europe Fungi of North America Poisonous fungi