Lepiota Procera

''Macrolepiota procera'', the parasol mushroom, is a basidiomycete fungus with a large, prominent fruiting body resembling a parasol.

It is a fairly common species on well-drained soils. It is found solitary or in groups and fairy rings in pastures and occasionally in woodland. It is widespread in temperate regions of Eurasia and possibly North America. It is edible but resembles some toxic species.

Taxonomy

The fungus was first described in 1772 by Italian naturalist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli, who named it ''Agaricus procerus''. Rolf Singer transferred it to the genus ''Macrolepiota'' in 1948.

Description

The immature cap is compact and egg-shaped, with the cap margin around the stipe, sealing a chamber inside the cap. As it matures, the margin breaks off, leaving a fleshy, movable ring around the stipe. The stipe is relatively thin, growing up to 12–40 cm long and 1.5 cm thick, reaching its full height before the cap expands. Below the ring, the stem has scaly growths.

The cap can reach wide. At full maturity, the cap is more or less flat, with a chocolate-brown umbo in the centre that is leathery to touch. Dark and cap-coloured flakes remain on the upper surface of the cap and can be removed easily.

The gills are crowded, free, and white or pale pink in age. The spore print is white. It has a pleasant nutty smell. When sliced, the white flesh may turn a pale pink.

Similar species

The parasol mushroom is difficult to mistake for any other, especially in regions like Europe where the poisonous look-alike ''Chlorophyllum molybdites'' is rare. The spores and lamellae of ''C. molybdites'' are notably greener in appearance. Nevertheless, as with picking any fungus for consumption, caution should be exercised at all times.

Smaller but similar in appearance is the common shaggy parasol (''Chlorophyllum rhacodes''), with an overlapping geographical range. ''Chlorophyllum rhacodes'' and other species in ''Chlorophyllum'' section Rhacodium lack the aforementioned snakeskin pattern on the stipe.

'' Macrolepiota mastoidea'', a European species, is yet another very large edible mushroom. Its dimensions are generally smaller than that of ''M. procera'' and the markings on its stipe less obvious. It is also much rarer.

Species of ''Agaricus'' have brown spores and the gills of mature specimens are never white.

There are a few poisonous species which can be mistaken for ''M. procera''.
*''Chlorophyllum molybdites'' causes the largest number of annual mushroom poisonings in North America due to its close similarity. Faintly green gills and a pale green spore print give it away. Furthermore, this mushroom lacks the aforementioned snakeskin pattern that is generally present on the parasol mushroom. Its range is reportedly expanding into Europe.

*'' Leucocoprinus brunnea'', also found in North America, slowly turns brown when sliced.
*White and immature species of ''Amanita'' are also a potential hazard. To be sure, one must only pick parasol mushrooms past their button stage. A general rule of thumb with the parasol mushroom as compared to amanita species is that the parasol mushroom has darker flakes on a lighter surface, whereas amanita species have the opposite, lighter flakes (if there are any) on a darker surface, such as the Panther cap. This rule of thumb does not apply everywhere like to the species ''Amanita smithiana''.
*The Saffron Parasol '' Cystoderma amianthinum'' is very much smaller, and not often eaten.
*'' Lepiota brunneoincarnata'' is a lepiota species known to have caused fatal poisonings in Spain. It is much smaller than ''M. procera''.

Habitat and distribution

It is a fairly common species on well-drained soils. It is found solitary or in groups and fairy rings in pastures and occasionally in woodland. It is widespread in temperate regions of Eurasia and possibly North America. Further research is needed to confirm whether specimens found in North America are the same species.

In some parts of Europe, it is known as the "snake's hat" or "snake's sponge" due to its scales.

Uses

''Macrolepiota procera'' is a choice edible mushroom. It is very sought-after and popular in Europe, due in part to its large size, seasonal frequency, and versatility in the kitchen. In the UK, it may be found from July through to November. The stipe is inedible due to being very fibrous in texture, unless dried and ground into a powder.

''Macrolepiota procera'' is also edible raw, though its close lookalikes in the genus ''Chlorophyllum'' are toxic raw.

These mushrooms are popularly sauteed in melted butter. In central and eastern European countries this mushroom is usually prepared similarly to a cutlet. It is usually run through egg and breadcrumbs and then fried in a pan with some oil or butter. A savory Slovak recipe is to bake caps stuffed with ground pork, oregano, and garlic. Italians and Austrians also serve the young, still spherical caps stuffed with seasoned minced beef, baked in the same manner as stuffed peppers.

References

External links

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{{Taxonbar, from=Q243381

Agaricaceae
Edible fungi
Fungi described in 1772
Fungi of Europe
Fungi found in fairy rings
Fungi of Finland
Taxa named by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli
Fungus species