Clitocybe dealbata

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Clitocybe dealbata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Clitocybaceae
Genus: Clitocybe
Species:
C. dealbata
Binomial name
Clitocybe dealbata
(Sowerby) Gillet (1874)
Clitocybe dealbata
saprotrophic
Edibility is poisonous or deadly

Clitocybe dealbata, also known as the ivory funnel, is a small white funnel-shaped basidiomycete fungus widely found in lawns, meadows and other grassy areas in Europe and North America. Also known as the sweating mushroom, or sweat producing clitocybe,[1] it derives these names from the symptoms of poisoning. It contains potentially deadly levels of muscarine.

Taxonomy and naming

Clitocybe dealbata was initially described by British naturalist James Sowerby in 1799 as Agaricus dealbatus,[2] its specific epithet derived from the Late Latin verb dealbare 'to whitewash',[3] inexorably calling to mind the Biblical "whited sepulchre", that is outwardly pleasing but inwardly toxic. It gained its current genus name in 1874 when reclassified by French naturalist Claude Casimir Gillet.[4] However, this species is often considered a synonym of Clitocybe rivulosa[5] and according to Bon[6] the name C. dealbata may be invalid (a nomen dubium) as James Sowerby's definition conflicts with Elias Magnus Fries's.

Description

A small white or white dusted with buff-coloured mushroom, the 2–4 cm diameter cap is flattened to depressed with adnate to decurrent crowded white gills. The stipe is 2–4 cm tall and 0.5–1 cm wide. The spore print is white. There is no distinctive taste or smell.[7][8]

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),[9] or miller (Clitopilus prunulus).[10]

Distribution and habitat

The ivory funnel is found in grassy habitats in summer and autumn. Often gregarious, it can form fairy rings.[11] Unfortunately, they often occur in grassy areas where they may be encountered by children or pets. This may increase risk of accidental consumption.[12]

Toxicity

The main toxic component of Clitocybe dealbata is

M1 receptor blockers like atropine, scopolamine and diphenhydramine.[12]

See also

  • List of deadly fungi

References

  1. .
  2. ^ See File:Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms - t. 123.png for the plate which is the original definition of this species.
  3. .
  4. ^ Gillet CG (1874) Les Hyménomycètes 828pp
  5. ^ Kuyper, Thomas W. (1996). "Some taxonomic and nomenclatural changes in the Tricholomataceae, tribus Clitocybeae". Persoonia. 16–2.
  6. ^ Bon, Marcel (April 1997). Flore mycologique d'Europe 4 Les clitocybes, omphales et ressemblants. Flore mycologique d'Europe. Quai Jeanne d'Arc, 80230 St. Valéry-sur-Somme, France: M. Bon. p. 61.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
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External links