Chlorophyllum molybdites (Mayer ex Fr.) Mass. Lepiota morganii (Pk.) Sacc. Green-gilled Lepiota. Cap 5-30cm across, hemispherical to broadly convex becoming flatter; whitish underneath, covered with thin layers of pale pinkish-buff volval tissue which breaks up into many small scales and patches as the cap expands; dry, smooth or minutely hairy below, with scales curling upward in age. Gills free, close, broad; whitish slowly becoming dirty gray-green or darker. Stem 50-250 x 8-25mm, sometimes enlarging toward the base; whitish, slowly becoming dingy gray; smooth. Veil membranous, large, white, leaving double edged, persistent pendant ring on the upper stalk. Flesh thick; white, discoloring dingy red when bruised. Odor faint and pungent or none. Taste mild or none. Spores ovoid or ellipsoid, smooth, thick-walled with small germ pore at tip, 8-13 x 6.5-8µ. Deposit green. No pleurocystidia. Habitat often forming fairy rings on grassy places such as lawns, meadows, and wasteland. Found widely distributed in North America but very common in the Gulf Coast area and Colorado. Season July-September. Poisonous. Comment Many people have reported this mushroom as edible, but it definitely contains toxins. These may be reduced by boiling, which may account for some people's eating it without symptoms of vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea. |