Stropharia
Encyclopedia
The genus Stropharia is a group of medium to large agarics with a distinct membranous ring
on the stipe
. The scientific name is derived from the Greek
'στροφος/strophos' meaning "belt", in reference to it. Spore print
color is generally medium to dark purple-brown with white edge at maturity, except for a few species that have rusty-brown spores. There is a great deal of variation, however, since this group as presently delimited is polyphyletic. Members of the core clade of Stropharia are characterized by crystalline acanthocytes
among the hyphae that make up the rhizoids at the base of the mushroom.
Well-known members of this genus include the edible Stropharia rugosoannulata
and the blue-green verdigris
agarics (Stropharia aeruginosa
and allies).
Recent molecular work shows the core group of the genus most closely related to Hypholoma
and Pholiota
. Other such as S. semiglobata are more distantly related. Section Stropholoma, on the basis of molecular work and its distinct micromorphology was placed in its own genus, Leratiomyces
in 2008.
Stropharia are not generally regarded as good to eat and there are doubts over the edibility of several species. However the species Stropharia rugosoannulata is regarded as exquisitely edible when young, is now the premier mushroom for outdoor bed culture by mycophiles in temperate climates.
The psychedelic mushroom
, formerly known as Stropharia cubensis, has been reclassified into the genus Psilocybe by mycologist Rolf Singer
, hence in some references it is referred to as Psilocybe cubensis
. It bears a superficial resemblance to Stropharia with its relatively large size, well-developed annulus, and dark spores; however, it is simply a large-size example of the bluing Psilocybe and hence is not a close relative of Stropharia.
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...
on 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...
. The scientific name is derived from the Greek
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
'στροφος/strophos' meaning "belt", in reference to it. 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...
color is generally medium to dark purple-brown with white edge at maturity, except for a few species that have rusty-brown spores. There is a great deal of variation, however, since this group as presently delimited is polyphyletic. Members of the core clade of Stropharia are characterized by crystalline acanthocytes
Acanthocyte (mycology)
In mycology, Acanthocyte refers to stellate cells found on the hyphae of fungi of the genus Stropharia. Recent work, published in 2006, on those of Stropharia rugosoannulata has shown them to have nematode-killing properties....
among the hyphae that make up the rhizoids at the base of the mushroom.
Well-known members of this genus include the edible Stropharia rugosoannulata
Stropharia rugosoannulata
Stropharia rugosoannulata, commonly known as the wine cap stropharia, "garden giant", burgundy mushroom or king stropharia, is an agaric of the family Strophariaceae found in Europe and North America, and introduced to New Zealand....
and the blue-green verdigris
Verdigris
Verdigris is the common name for a green pigment obtained through the application of acetic acid to copper plates or the natural patina formed when copper, brass or bronze is weathered and exposed to air or seawater over a period of time. It is usually a basic copper carbonate, but near the sea...
agarics (Stropharia aeruginosa
Stropharia aeruginosa
Stropharia aeruginosa, commonly known as the verdigris agaric, is a medium-sized green, slimy woodland mushroom, found on lawns, mulch and woodland from spring to autumn...
and allies).
Recent molecular work shows the core group of the genus most closely related to Hypholoma
Hypholoma
Fungi of the genus Hypholoma are quite well known due to the commonness of Sulphur Tuft on stumps in temperate woodlands. This species is easily recognizable because the dark spores create a distinctive greenish effect on the yellow cap underside...
and Pholiota
Pholiota
Pholiota is a genus of small to fleshy mushrooms in the family Strophariaceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in temperate regions, and contains about 150 species....
. Other such as S. semiglobata are more distantly related. Section Stropholoma, on the basis of molecular work and its distinct micromorphology was placed in its own genus, Leratiomyces
Leratiomyces
Leratiomyces is a genus of mushroom-forming basidiomycetes first described in 2008. It includes several formerly described, variously, from the genera Stropharia, Hypholoma, and Weraroa...
in 2008.
Stropharia are not generally regarded as good to eat and there are doubts over the edibility of several species. However the species Stropharia rugosoannulata is regarded as exquisitely edible when young, is now the premier mushroom for outdoor bed culture by mycophiles in temperate climates.
The psychedelic mushroom
Psychedelic mushroom
Psilocybin mushrooms are fungi that contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. There are multiple colloquial terms for psilocybin mushrooms, the most common being shrooms or magic mushrooms....
, formerly known as Stropharia cubensis, has been reclassified into the genus Psilocybe by mycologist Rolf Singer
Rolf Singer
Rolf Singer was a German-born mycologist and one of the most important taxonomists of gilled mushrooms in the 20th century....
, hence in some references it is referred to as Psilocybe cubensis
Psilocybe cubensis
Psilocybe cubensis is a species of psychedelic mushroom whose principal active compounds are psilocybin and psilocin. Commonly called Boomers, Cubes or Gold Caps, it belongs to the Strophariaceae family of fungi and was previously known as Stropharia cubensis.-Taxonomy and naming:The species was...
. It bears a superficial resemblance to Stropharia with its relatively large size, well-developed annulus, and dark spores; however, it is simply a large-size example of the bluing Psilocybe and hence is not a close relative of Stropharia.
Species
- Stropharia aeruginosaStropharia aeruginosaStropharia aeruginosa, commonly known as the verdigris agaric, is a medium-sized green, slimy woodland mushroom, found on lawns, mulch and woodland from spring to autumn...
- Stropharia agaricoides
- Stropharia albivelata
- Stropharia albonitens
- Stropharia alcis
- Stropharia aurantiaca
- Stropharia caerulea
- Stropharia coronilla
- Stropharia halophila
- Stropharia hornemannii
- Stropharia inuncta
- Stropharia lepiotiformis
- Stropharia luteonitens
- Stropharia mammillata
- Stropharia melanosperma
- Stropharia pseudocyanea
- Stropharia rugosoannulataStropharia rugosoannulataStropharia rugosoannulata, commonly known as the wine cap stropharia, "garden giant", burgundy mushroom or king stropharia, is an agaric of the family Strophariaceae found in Europe and North America, and introduced to New Zealand....
- Stropharia semiglobata
- Stropharia squamulosa
- Stropharia venusta