Leucopaxillus albissimus

Leucopaxillus albissimus is a species of mushroom that lives as a saprobe, decaying the litter under coniferous trees. It produces a large white fruiting body that is unusually resistant to decay.[1][2] It is considered to be inedible.[3]

Leucopaxillus albissimus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Fungi
Division:
Basidiomycota
Class:
Agaricomycetes
Order:
Agaricales
Family:
Tricholomataceae
Genus:
Leucopaxillus
Species:
L. albissimus
Binomial name
Leucopaxillus albissimus
(Peck) Singer (1939)
Synonyms
  • Agaricus albissimus Peck (1873)
Leucopaxillus albissimus
float
Mycological characteristics
gills on hymenium
cap is convex or flat
hymenium is decurrent
stipe is bare
spore print is white
ecology is saprotrophic
edibility: inedible

Description

The cap of Leucopaxillus albissimus is 4–20 cm wide, and slowly changes from convex to plane; occasionally the disc is depressed. When young, the margin is incurved and faintly striate. The cap's surface is dry, unpolished, and smooth; in moderate weather, it becomes scaled and a shade of cream to cream-buff.[4] As it ages, the cap's surface turns buff-tan. Overall, the flesh is white, moderately thick, and has a mild odor.[5] Gills are crowded, broad, and decurrent. Although they are originally cream-colored, the gills turn buff-tan with age.[6] Varying from 3–7 cm in length, the stipe of Leucopaxillus albissimus is 2.5–4 cm thick, stout, and often enlarged at the base. The surface of the stipe varies from smooth to finely-scaled and is a cream color when young; it may turn buff-tan in age. When handled, it bruises pale buff-brown at the base.[7]

Leucopaxillus albissimus has a white spore print. The elliptical spores are ornamented with amyloid warts. The spores measure 5–7 x 3.5–5 µm.[8]

Leucopaxillus albissimus spores

Habitat

Primarily residing under conifers and hardwoods, Leucopaxillus albimissus is often scattered or gregarious in arcs or rings. It fruits from mid to late winter in California, and in autumn in other parts of North America.[9]

References
  1. "Rogers Mushrooms ; Mushroom Pictures & Mushroom Reference". Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
  2. Wood, Michael; Fred Stevens. "California Fungi—Leucopaxillus albissimus". MykoWeb. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
  3. Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
  4. McKenny et al.: p. 83
  5. Kuo, M. (February 2007). "Leucopaxillus albissimus". MushroomExpert.Com. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
  6. Arora (1986) p. 167
  7. Arora (1991): p. 58
  8. Lincoff GH (1981). The Audubon Society field guide to North American mushrooms. Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0-394-51992-2.
  9. Miller: sp. 160
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