genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of about 18 species of
ascomycete
Ascomycota is a phylum of the kingdom Fungi that, together with the Basidiomycota, forms the subkingdom Dikarya. Its members are commonly known as the sac fungi or ascomycetes. It is the largest phylum of Fungi, with over 64,000 species. The def ...
fungi. They are a false morel - a frequently toxic mushroom that can be mistaken for edible mushrooms of the genus ''
Morchella
''Morchella'', the true morels, is a genus of edible sac fungi closely related to anatomically simpler cup fungi in the order Pezizales ( division Ascomycota). These distinctive fungi have a honeycomb appearance due to the network of ridges w ...
'' (morels).
Taxonomy
The name ''Gyromitra'' comes from ''gyro'' meaning ''convoluted'' and ''mitra'' meaning ''turban''.
Analysis of the
ribosomal DNA
The ribosomal DNA (rDNA) consists of a group of ribosomal RNA encoding genes and related regulatory elements, and is widespread in similar configuration in all domains of life. The ribosomal DNA encodes the non-coding ribosomal RNA, integral struc ...
of many of the Pezizales showed the genus ''Gyromitra'' to be most closely related to the genus '' Discina'', and also '' Pseudorhizina'', '' Hydnotrya'', and only distantly related to '' Helvella''. Thus the four genera are now included in the family Discinaceae.
Gyromitra esculenta
''Gyromitra esculenta'' is an ascomycete fungus from the genus ''Gyromitra'', widely distributed across Europe and North America. It normally fruits in sandy soils under coniferous trees in spring and early summer. The Ascocarp, fruiting bod ...
Gyromitra korfii
''Gyromitra'' () is a genus of about 18 species of Ascomycota, ascomycete fungi. They are a false morel - a frequently toxic mushroom that can be mistaken for edible mushrooms of the genus ''Morchella'' (morels).
Taxonomy
The name ''Gyromitra'' ...
Some species of the genus ''Gyromitra'' are highly poisonous when eaten raw due to the presence of
gyromitrin
Gyromitrin is a toxin and carcinogen present in several members of the fungal genus '' Gyromitra'', like '' G. esculenta''. Its formula is . It is unstable and is easily hydrolyzed to the toxic compound monomethylhydrazine . Monomethylhydraz ...
, although some are edible when cooked and ''Gyromitra'' spp. are sought after in Scandinavian countries. Widespread
hemolysis
Hemolysis or haemolysis (), also known by #Nomenclature, several other names, is the rupturing (lysis) of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and the release of their contents (cytoplasm) into surrounding fluid (e.g. blood plasma). Hemolysis may ...
has been reported from ingestion which can result in
kidney failure
Kidney failure, also known as renal failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is a medical condition in which the kidneys can no longer adequately filter waste products from the blood, functioning at less than 15% of normal levels. Kidney fa ...
.
Methemoglobinemia
Methemoglobinemia, or methaemoglobinaemia, is a condition of elevated methemoglobin in the blood. Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, poor muscle coordination, and blue-colored skin (cyanosis). Complications ma ...
has also been seen, although it is typically responsive to treatment with
methylene blue
Methylthioninium chloride, commonly called methylene blue, is a salt used as a dye and as a medication. As a medication, it is mainly used to treat methemoglobinemia. It has previously been used for treating cyanide poisoning and urinary trac ...
.
Seizure
A seizure is a sudden, brief disruption of brain activity caused by abnormal, excessive, or synchronous neuronal firing. Depending on the regions of the brain involved, seizures can lead to changes in movement, sensation, behavior, awareness, o ...
s can also develop via inhibition of the neurotransmitter
GABA
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid, γ-aminobutyric acid) is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the developmentally mature mammalian central nervous system. Its principal role is reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system.
GA ...