Agaricus placomyces
Agaricus placomyces is a toxic basidiomycete fungus of the genus Agaricus.
| Agaricus placomyces | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Agaricaceae |
| Genus: | Agaricus |
| Species: | A. placomyces |
| Binomial name | |
| Agaricus placomyces Peck (1878) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Fungus placomyces (Peck) Kuntze (1898) | |
| Agaricus placomyces | |
|---|---|
 float | |
 | gills on hymenium |
 | cap is convex or flat |
 | hymenium is free |
 | stipe has a ring |
 | spore print is blackish-brown |
 | ecology is saprotrophic |
 | edibility: poisonous |
Description
Agaricus placomyces has a cap that is 5–12 cm and varies from convex to broadly convex or nearly flat in age. In addition, the surface of the cap is dry and covered with brownish fibers and scales, especially over the center. Underneath, the cap can be whitish under normal environments, or pinkish in wet weather. Covered with fine, appressed greyish-brown scales and concentrated at the disc, the cap is thick, slowly becoming vinaceous when injured; the odor strongly smells phenol. It yellows in KOH.
The gills of this mushroom are free from the stem, crowded, and pale grayish-pink, turning brown in age. In addition, the stem is 6–15 cm long, 1–1.5 cm. thick and more or less equal, with an enlarged base (unlike typically ending in a small bulb like Agaricus pocillator). Also, it is fairly smooth, white and bruising yellow, especially at the base, with a persistent ring, and the partial veil when still covering the gills developing brownish to yellowish droplets.[1][2]
At 8–15 cm long and 2–3.5 cm thick, the stipe is slightly enlarged at the base; the surface is white, and smooth above and below the ring. The veil of the stipe is membranous, thick, white, and forms a persistent ring with a smooth upper and lower surface. The base of the stipe is typically yellow when bruised and smells of phenol.[3]
The spores are 4–6.0 x 3.5–4.5 µm, smooth, and elliptical; the spore print is blackish-brown.
Toxicity
For some people, Agaricus placomyces can be toxic. Like other phenolic-odored Agaricus species, it can cause gastrointestinal upsets. Other people may not be affected.[4] The mushroom's taste is not distinctive and somewhat unpleasant; the odor is usually unpleasant, but not necessarily distinctive. The flesh is white, and the base becomes yellow when bruised.
Habitat
Agaricus placomyces is saprobic. In addition, it grows in groups under hardwoods and in mixed woods during summer and fall. It is generally found east of the Rocky Mountains and northern in distribution. Generally, it is solitary, living in either small groups, or clusters on disturbed ground under conifers. Unlike many other Agaricus species, it fruits from mid to late winter rather than during the late spring, summer and early fall.[5][6]
See also
References
- Breitenbach & Kränzlin (vol. 4): sp. 188 Archived April 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Freeman, A.E.H. (1979). Agaricus in the southeastern United States. Mycotaxon 8(1): 50–118.
- Kerrigan, Richard W. (1986). The Agaricales (Gilled Fungi) of California. 6. Agaricaceae. Mad River Press: Eureka, CA. 62 p.
- Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 225. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
- Kerrigan, R.W., Callac, P., Guinberteau, J., Challen, M.P. & Parra, L. (2005). Agaricus section Xanthodermatei: a phylogenetic reconstruction with commentary on taxa. Mycologia 97: 1292–1315.
- Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi ; By David Arora, Edition: 2, illustrated; Published by Ten Speed Press, 1986; ISBN 0-89815-169-4, ISBN 978-0-89815-169-5 page 329.