Conocybe filaris
Encyclopedia
Conocybe filaris is a common lawn mushroom which is widely distributed and especially common in the pacific northwest. It contains the same mycotoxin
s as the death cap
. It is also known as Pholiotina filaris.
s, which are highly toxic to the liver and are responsible for many deaths by poisoning from mushrooms in the genera Amanita
and Lepiota
. They are sometimes mistaken for Psilocybe
, especially the Psilocybe cyanescens
and the Psilocybe subaeruginosa
species due to their similar looking Pileus
(cap).
Mycotoxin
A mycotoxin is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by organisms of the fungus kingdom, commonly known as molds. The term ‘mycotoxin’ is usually reserved for the toxic chemical products produced by fungi that readily colonize crops...
s as the death cap
Death cap
Amanita phalloides , commonly known as the death cap, is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. Widely distributed across Europe, A. phalloides forms ectomycorrhizas with various broadleaved trees. In some cases, death cap has been introduced to new regions with...
. It is also known as Pholiotina filaris.
Description
Conocybe filaris has a cap which is conical, expanding to flat, usually with an umbo. It is less than 3 cm across, has a smooth brown top, and the margin is often striate. The gills are rusty brown, close, and adnexed. The stalk is 2 cm thick and 1 to 6 cm long, smooth, and brown, with a prominent and movable ring. The spore print is rusty brown.Distribution and habitat
Conocybe filaris is common and widely distributed on lawns and wood chips in America's Pacific Northwest.Toxicity
They have been shown to contain amatoxinAmatoxin
Amatoxins are a subgroup of at least eight toxic compounds found in several genera of poisonous mushrooms, most notably Amanita phalloides and several other members of the genus Amanita, as well as some Conocybe, Galerina and Lepiota mushroom species.-Structure:The compounds have a similar...
s, which are highly toxic to the liver and are responsible for many deaths by poisoning from mushrooms in the genera Amanita
Amanita
The genus Amanita contains about 600 species of agarics including some of the most toxic known mushrooms found worldwide. This genus is responsible for approximately 95% of the fatalities resulting from mushroom poisoning, with the death cap accounting for about 50% on its own...
and Lepiota
Lepiota
Lepiota is a genus of gilled mushrooms in the family Agaricaceae. All Lepiota species are ground-dwelling saprotrophs with a preference for rich, calcareous soils. Basidiocarps are agaricoid with whitish spores, typically with scaly caps and a ring on the stem. Around 400 species of Lepiota are...
. They are sometimes mistaken for Psilocybe
Psilocybe
Psilocybe is a genus of small mushrooms growing worldwide. This genus is best known for its species with psychedelic or hallucinogenic properties, widely known as "magic mushrooms", though the majority of species do not contain hallucinogenic compounds...
, especially the Psilocybe cyanescens
Psilocybe cyanescens
Psilocybe cyanescens is a species of potent psychedelic mushroom. The main compounds responsible for its psychedelic effects are psilocybin and psilocin. It belongs to the family Strophariaceae...
and the Psilocybe subaeruginosa
Psilocybe subaeruginosa
Psilocybe subaeruginosa is a psychedelic mushroom of Australasia, which has psilocybin and psilocin as main active compounds.First reported in 1927, it is placed in the section Cyanescens, which includes Psilocybe cyanescens and Psilocybe maire....
species due to their similar looking Pileus
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...
(cap).