Clitocybe dealbata
Encyclopedia
Clitocybe dealbata, also known as the ivory funnel, is a small white funnel
-shaped toadstool widely found in lawns, meadows and other grassy areas in Europe
and North America
. Also known as the sweating mushroom, it derives this name from the symptoms of poisoning. It contains potentially deadly levels of muscarine
.
naturalist
James Sowerby
in 1799 as Agaricus dealbatus , its specific epithet derived from the Latin
verb dealbare 'to whitewash'. It gained its current name in 1874 when reclassified by French naturalist Claude Casimir Gillet
. However, this species is often considered a synonym of Clitocybe rivulosa
and according to Bon the name C. dealbata may be invalid (a nomen dubium) as Sowerby's definition conflicts with Fries's.
-coloured mushroom, the 2–4 cm diameter cap
is flattened to depressed with adnate to decurrent crowded white gills. The stipe
is 2–3.5 cm tall and 0.5–1 cm wide. The spore print
is white. There is no distinctive taste or smell.
It is one of a number of similar poisonous species such as the false champignon (Clitocybe rivulosa
) which can be confused with the edible fairy ring champignon (Marasmius oreades
), or miller (Clitopilus prunulus
).
s. Unfortunately, they often occur in grassy areas where they may be encountered by children or toddlers. This may increase risk of accidental consumption.
, and thus the symptoms are those of muscarine poisoning, namely greatly increased saliva
tion, sweating (perspiration), and tearflow (lacrimation) within 15–30 minutes of ingestion. With large doses, these symptoms may be followed by abdominal
pain, severe nausea
, diarrhea
, blurred vision, and labored breathing. Intoxication generally subsides within two hours. Death
is rare, but may result from cardiac or respiratory failure
in severe cases. The specific antidote
is atropine
.
Funnel
A funnel is a pipe with a wide, often conical mouth and a narrow stem. It is used to channel liquid or fine-grained substances into containers with a small opening. Without a funnel, spillage would occur....
-shaped toadstool widely found in lawns, meadows and other grassy areas in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Also known as the sweating mushroom, it derives this name from the symptoms of poisoning. It contains potentially deadly levels of muscarine
Muscarine
Muscarine, L--muscarine, or muscarin is a natural product found in certain mushrooms, particularly in Inocybe and Clitocybe species, such as the deadly C. dealbata. Mushrooms in the genera Entoloma and Mycena have also been found to contain levels of muscarine which can be dangerous if ingested...
.
Taxonomy and naming
Clitocybe dealbata was initially described by BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
naturalist
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
James Sowerby
James Sowerby
James Sowerby was an English naturalist and illustrator. Contributions to published works, such as A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland or English Botany, include his detailed and appealing plates...
in 1799 as Agaricus dealbatus , its specific epithet derived from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
verb dealbare 'to whitewash'. It gained its current name in 1874 when reclassified by French naturalist Claude Casimir Gillet
Claude Casimir Gillet
Claude Casimir Gillet, born 19 May 1806, died 1896, was a French botanist and mycologist. He initially trained as a medical doctor and veterinarian.-Publications:* Claude-Casimir Gillet, * Claude-Casimir Gillet, , 230 pp...
. However, this species is often considered a synonym of Clitocybe rivulosa
Clitocybe rivulosa
Clitocybe rivulosa, commonly known as the false champignon or fool's funnel, is a poisonous basidiomycete fungus of the large genus Clitocybe. One of several species similar in appearance, it is a small white funnel-shaped toadstool widely found in lawns, meadows and other grassy areas in Europe...
and according to Bon the name C. dealbata may be invalid (a nomen dubium) as Sowerby's definition conflicts with Fries's.
Description
A small white or white dusted with buffBuff (colour)
Buff is a pale yellow-brown colour that got its name from the colour of buff leather.Displayed on the right is the colour buff.EtymologyAccording to the Oxford English Dictionary, buff as a descriptor of a colour was first used in the London Gazette of 1686, describing a uniform to be "A Red Coat...
-coloured mushroom, the 2–4 cm diameter cap
Pileus (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...
is flattened to depressed with adnate to decurrent crowded white gills. 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 2–3.5 cm tall and 0.5–1 cm wide. 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 white. There is no distinctive taste or smell.
It is one of a number of similar poisonous species such as the false champignon (Clitocybe rivulosa
Clitocybe rivulosa
Clitocybe rivulosa, commonly known as the false champignon or fool's funnel, is a poisonous basidiomycete fungus of the large genus Clitocybe. One of several species similar in appearance, it is a small white funnel-shaped toadstool widely found in lawns, meadows and other grassy areas in Europe...
) which can be confused with the edible fairy ring champignon (Marasmius oreades
Marasmius oreades
Marasmius oreades is also known as the scotch bonnet or fairy ring mushroom. The latter name tends to cause some confusion, as many other mushrooms grown in fairy rings .-Distribution and habitat:Marasmius oreades grows extensively throughout North America...
), or miller (Clitopilus prunulus
Clitopilus prunulus
Clitopilus prunulus, commonly known as the miller or the sweetbread mushroom, is an edible pink-spored basidiomycete mushroom found in grasslands in Europe. It has a grey to white cap and decurrent gills.-Description:...
).
Distribution and habitat
The ivory funnel is found in grassy habitats in summer and autumn. Often gregarious, it can form fairy ringFairy ring
A fairy ring, also known as fairy circle, elf circle, elf ring or pixie ring, is a naturally occurring ring or arc of mushrooms. The rings may grow to over in diameter, and they become stable over time as the fungus grows and seeks food underground. They are found mainly in forested areas, but...
s. Unfortunately, they often occur in grassy areas where they may be encountered by children or toddlers. This may increase risk of accidental consumption.
Toxicity
The main toxic component of Clitocybe dealbata is muscarineMuscarine
Muscarine, L--muscarine, or muscarin is a natural product found in certain mushrooms, particularly in Inocybe and Clitocybe species, such as the deadly C. dealbata. Mushrooms in the genera Entoloma and Mycena have also been found to contain levels of muscarine which can be dangerous if ingested...
, and thus the symptoms are those of muscarine poisoning, namely greatly increased saliva
Saliva
Saliva , referred to in various contexts as spit, spittle, drivel, drool, or slobber, is the watery substance produced in the mouths of humans and most other animals. Saliva is a component of oral fluid. In mammals, saliva is produced in and secreted from the three pairs of major salivary glands,...
tion, sweating (perspiration), and tearflow (lacrimation) within 15–30 minutes of ingestion. With large doses, these symptoms may be followed by abdominal
Abdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
pain, severe nausea
Nausea
Nausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It often, but not always, precedes vomiting...
, diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
, blurred vision, and labored breathing. Intoxication generally subsides within two hours. Death
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
is rare, but may result from cardiac or respiratory failure
Respiratory failure
The term respiratory failure, in medicine, is used to describe inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system, with the result that arterial oxygen and/or carbon dioxide levels cannot be maintained within their normal ranges. A drop in blood oxygenation is known as hypoxemia; a rise in arterial...
in severe cases. The specific antidote
Antidote
An antidote is a substance which can counteract a form of poisoning. The term ultimately derives from the Greek αντιδιδοναι antididonai, "given against"....
is atropine
Atropine
Atropine is a naturally occurring tropane alkaloid extracted from deadly nightshade , Jimson weed , mandrake and other plants of the family Solanaceae. It is a secondary metabolite of these plants and serves as a drug with a wide variety of effects...
.