Agaricus moelleri
Encyclopedia
Agaricus moelleri , also known as the inky mushroom, or dark scaled mushroom, is a large mushroom
of the genus Agaricus
. Most of the genus are excellent edibles, only a few are not, and this is one of the species that can leave some people with somewhat severe gastro-intestinal upsets. It appears occasionally in most kinds of woodland, during late summer, in northern temperate zones.
in 1878 (now known as Agaricus praeclaresquamosus A.E.Freeman 1979).http://www.basidiochecklist.info/DisplayResults.asp?intGBNum=40287 The current binomial Agaricus moelleri was published in 1976 by the Ukrainian mycologist Solomon P. Wasser.
has a greyish-brown patch in the centre and cold grey-brown scaling on the surrounding off-white background. It is 5 to 9 cm (2 to 3.5 in) in diameter, and yellows when bruised. It is ovate when young, flattening later. The stem
has a drooping ring
, and stains yellow very easily when bruised, this colour then changes to brown over time. The stem flesh
bruises yellow only faintly, and is more noticeable in the base. The gills are crowded, and free, as is typical for an Agaricus. They are pink on young specimens, but brown to black on older fruit bodies. The flesh is white and does not change colour on cutting. It is noted by some authors as smelling like ink, iodoform, sweat, or mouldy straw. The spore
s are 4–6 x 3–4 µm
, and are elliptical.
A similar species occurring in North America, Agaricus praeclaresquamosus A.E. Freeman 1979, has several variants, some of which are larger.
The rare Agaricus phaeolepidotus also has the iodoform, or ink smell, but has browner cap scales, and stains yellow less readily.
. North America, Britain, and Europe, growing in mixed forests and woods. It is widespread, but can be locally rare, and favors rich alkaline woodland, or parkland.
), Agaricus moelleri can produce nasty gastro intestinal symptoms for some people but not others, when ingested. It may be best to presume they are poisonous overall.
Mushroom
A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus; hence the word "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that...
of the genus Agaricus
Agaricus
Agaricus is a large and important genus of mushrooms containing both edible and poisonous species, with possibly over 300 members worldwide...
. Most of the genus are excellent edibles, only a few are not, and this is one of the species that can leave some people with somewhat severe gastro-intestinal upsets. It appears occasionally in most kinds of woodland, during late summer, in northern temperate zones.
Taxonomy
For many years Agaricus moelleri was erroneously accredited with the binomial Agaricus placomyces by some British authors. The epithet placomyces was in fact given to a North American species of Agaricus by Charles Horton PeckCharles Horton Peck
Charles Horton Peck, born March 30, 1833 in Sand Lake, New York, died 1917 in Albany, New York, was an American mycologist of the 19th and early 20th centuries...
in 1878 (now known as Agaricus praeclaresquamosus A.E.Freeman 1979).http://www.basidiochecklist.info/DisplayResults.asp?intGBNum=40287 The current binomial Agaricus moelleri was published in 1976 by the Ukrainian mycologist Solomon P. Wasser.
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...
has a greyish-brown patch in the centre and cold grey-brown scaling on the surrounding off-white background. It is 5 to 9 cm (2 to 3.5 in) in diameter, and yellows when bruised. It is ovate when young, flattening later. The stem
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...
has a drooping ring
Annulus (mycology)
An annulus is the ring like structure sometimes found on the stipe of some species of mushrooms. The annulus represents the remaining part of the partial veil, after it has ruptured to expose the gills or other spore-producing surface. An annulus may be thick and membranous, or it may be cobweb-like...
, and stains yellow very easily when bruised, this colour then changes to brown over time. The stem flesh
Trama (mycology)
In mycology trama is a term for the inner, fleshy portion of a mushroom's basidiocarp, or fruit body. It is distinct from the outer layer of tissue, known as the pileipellis or cuticle, and from the spore-bearing tissue layer known as the hymenium....
bruises yellow only faintly, and is more noticeable in the base. The gills are crowded, and free, as is typical for an Agaricus. They are pink on young specimens, but brown to black on older fruit bodies. The flesh is white and does not change colour on cutting. It is noted by some authors as smelling like ink, iodoform, sweat, or mouldy straw. 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 4–6 x 3–4 µm
Micrometre
A micrometer , is by definition 1×10-6 of a meter .In plain English, it means one-millionth of a meter . Its unit symbol in the International System of Units is μm...
, and are elliptical.
A similar species occurring in North America, Agaricus praeclaresquamosus A.E. Freeman 1979, has several variants, some of which are larger.
The rare Agaricus phaeolepidotus also has the iodoform, or ink smell, but has browner cap scales, and stains yellow less readily.
Distribution and habitat
Agaricus moelleri is found in the temperate zones of the northern hemisphereNorthern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
. North America, Britain, and Europe, growing in mixed forests and woods. It is widespread, but can be locally rare, and favors rich alkaline woodland, or parkland.
Edibility
In the same fashion as the yellow stainer (Agaricus xanthodermusAgaricus xanthodermus
Agaricus xanthodermus, commonly known as the yellow-staining mushroom, is a mushroom of thegenus Agaricus, which displays a strong yellow colouration at the base of the stem when cut...
), Agaricus moelleri can produce nasty gastro intestinal symptoms for some people but not others, when ingested. It may be best to presume they are poisonous overall.