''Chlorophyllum molybdites'', commonly known as the green-spored parasol, false parasol, green-spored lepiota and vomiter, is a common species of mushroom found in temperate and subtropical meadows and lawns. The species is poisonous and produces severe gastrointestinal symptoms of 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 in diameter, hemispherical and with a flattened top. The cap is whitish in colour with coarse brownish scales. The

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 free and white, usually turning dark and green with maturity. It has a rare green spore print. The stipe ranges from 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.

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

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, and

Cyprus Cyprus (), officially the Republic of Cyprus, is an island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Situated in West Asia, its cultural identity and geopolitical orientation are overwhelmingly Southeast European. Cyprus is the List of isl ...

Toxicity

''Chlorophyllum molybdites'' is the most frequently eaten

poisonous mushroom Mushroom poisoning is poisoning resulting from the ingestion of mushrooms that contain toxic substances. Symptoms can vary from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to death in about 10 days. Mushroom toxins are secondary metabolites produced by th ...

in North America.Beug, Michael W
An Overview of Mushroom Poisonings in North America.
''The Mycophile'', vol. 45(2):4-5, March/April 2004 The symptoms, caused by molybdophyllysin, are predominantly gastrointestinal in nature, with vomiting, diarrhea and colic, often severe, occurring 1–3 hours after consumption. Although these poisonings can be severe, particularly in children, none have yet resulted in death. 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 The Pacific Northwest (PNW; ) is a geographic region in Western North America bounded by its coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains to the east. Though no official boundary exists, the most common ...
. 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.''Common Florida Mushrooms'', p. 325.

Cases of poisoning from these mushrooms are also reported in

Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...

, where they are often mistaken for '' Termitomyces'' mushrooms that are found locally. It also might be confused for '' Coprinus comatus'' (shaggy mane).

Gallery

File:Chlorophyllum molybdites Crop 2013-09-10.jpg, In

Osaka is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...

File:Chlorophyllum.Molybdites.003.jpg, ''Chlorophyllum molybdites'' File:Chlorophyllum.Molybdites.001.jpg, ''Chlorophyllum molybdites'' File:Chlorophyllum molybdites young.JPG, A young false parasol mushroom File:Chlorophyllum molybdites spore print.jpg, ''Chlorophyllum molybdites'' spore print showing its green color File:Chlorophyllum molybdites in Argentina.jpg, ''Chlorophyllum molybdites'' registered in Escobar, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina File:Chlorophyllum molybdites DSCN3139.jpg, ''Chlorophyllum molybdites'' in

Ranchi Ranchi (; ) is the capital city and also the largest district by population of the Indian state of Jharkhand. Ranchi was the centre of the Jharkhand movement, which called for a separate state for the tribal regions of South Bihar, northern ...

, India File:Chlorophyllum molybdites DSCN3144.jpg, ''Chlorophyllum molybdites'' in

, India File:Chlorophyllum molybdites gill DSCN3143.jpg, ''Chlorophyllum molybdites'' underside of the cap

References

External links

Mushroom Expert – ''Chlorophyllum molybdites''
* Huffington Post {{Taxonbar, from=Q146693 Poisonous fungi Agaricaceae Fungi found in fairy rings Fungi of Europe Fungi of North America Fungi of Africa Fungus species