Agaricus lilaceps
Encyclopedia
Agaricus lilaceps, also known as the cypress Agaricus or the giant cypress agaricus is a species of mushroom. It is among the largest and most edible Agaricus species in California. Aside from size, Agaricus lilaceps is characterized by a robust stature, as the stipe often club-shaped.
of the mushroom is 8–20 cm broad, convex, and expands to nearly plane. As it ages, the disc sometimes depresses. The margin, however, is incurved, although it decurves at maturity. The surface of the cap is at first pallid to cream-buff, especially when developing below ground, but soon becomes appressed and fibrillose-squamose. In addition, it varies from brown, hazel-brown, dull chestnut-brown, and occasionally lilac-brown, although it darkerns in age. At times, the surface develops orange-brown, rufescent areas. The context is thick, very firm, white, and slowly turns vinaceous when cut or bruised. The odor is that of a typical mushroom, although it tastes mild.
The gills of Agaricus lilaceps are free, close, moderately broad, and dingy-pink when young. However, when bruised, it turns reddish-brown slowly, and dark chocolate-brown at maturity.
The stipe
is 9–19 cm long, 3–5 cm thick, and equal to clavate. The core of the stem is stuffed, while the surface is dry and white with scattered fibrils at the apex. However, the base is a discoloring dingy brownish-red to ochraceous. Also, the stipe can be smooth to patchy fibrillose below. There is a partial white veil that is membranous, thick, and elastic. The upper surface is wrinkled, while the lower surface is more or less smooth, occasionally cracking and forming patches. Also, the lower surface sometimes yellows in age or when bruised, forming a superior, pendulous annulus at maturity. The stipe gradually becomes blackish from adhering spores.
The spore
s are 5–6.5 by 4–5 µm, elliptical, and smooth. The spore print
is dark-brown.
. They are found exclusively in the central area of California
, though A. lilaceps can be found in the west in the Monterey Bay
area. In addition, A. lilaceps can also be found on Stanford University
under the eucalyptus
.
Description
The capPileus (mycology)
The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium. The hymenium may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus...
of the mushroom is 8–20 cm broad, convex, and expands to nearly plane. As it ages, the disc sometimes depresses. The margin, however, is incurved, although it decurves at maturity. The surface of the cap is at first pallid to cream-buff, especially when developing below ground, but soon becomes appressed and fibrillose-squamose. In addition, it varies from brown, hazel-brown, dull chestnut-brown, and occasionally lilac-brown, although it darkerns in age. At times, the surface develops orange-brown, rufescent areas. The context is thick, very firm, white, and slowly turns vinaceous when cut or bruised. The odor is that of a typical mushroom, although it tastes mild.
The gills of Agaricus lilaceps are free, close, moderately broad, and dingy-pink when young. However, when bruised, it turns reddish-brown slowly, and dark chocolate-brown at maturity.
The stipe
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
is 9–19 cm long, 3–5 cm thick, and equal to clavate. The core of the stem is stuffed, while the surface is dry and white with scattered fibrils at the apex. However, the base is a discoloring dingy brownish-red to ochraceous. Also, the stipe can be smooth to patchy fibrillose below. There is a partial white veil that is membranous, thick, and elastic. The upper surface is wrinkled, while the lower surface is more or less smooth, occasionally cracking and forming patches. Also, the lower surface sometimes yellows in age or when bruised, forming a superior, pendulous annulus at maturity. The stipe gradually becomes blackish from adhering spores.
The spore
Spore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
s are 5–6.5 by 4–5 µm, elliptical, and smooth. The spore print
Spore print
thumb|300px|right|Making a spore print of the mushroom Volvariella volvacea shown in composite: mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; cap removed after 24 hours showing pinkish-tan spore print...
is dark-brown.
Habitat
Agaricus lilaceps are scattered or clustered under Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa). They fruit from mid to late winterWinter
Winter is the coldest season of the year in temperate climates, between autumn and spring. At the winter solstice, the days are shortest and the nights are longest, with days lengthening as the season progresses after the solstice.-Meteorology:...
. They are found exclusively in the central area of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, though A. lilaceps can be found in the west in the Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay is a bay of the Pacific Ocean, along the central coast of California. The bay is south of San Francisco and San Jose, between the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey....
area. In addition, A. lilaceps can also be found on Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
under the eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
.