Chlorophyllum molybdites
Species of fungus
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The species is poisonous and causes potentially serious vomiting and diarrhea. It is the most commonly consumed poisonous mushroom in North America, often being misidentified as edible species like Chlorophyllum rhacodes (the shaggy parasol) and Macrolepiota procera (parasol mushroom).
Description
The pileus (cap) ranges from 8 to 30 cm (3.1 to 12 in) 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 (2.0 to 12 in) 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.
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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.
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).