Tricholoma saponaceum
| Tricholoma saponaceum | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Tricholomataceae |
| Genus: | Tricholoma |
| Species: | T. saponaceum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tricholoma saponaceum (
P.Kumm. (1871) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
| Tricholoma saponaceum mycorrhizal | |
|---|---|
 | Edibility is poisonous |
Tricholoma saponaceum, also known as the soap-scented toadstool, soapy tricholoma,[1] soapy knight or soap tricholoma is an inedible mushroom found in woodlands in Europe and North America.
Taxonomy
Tricholoma saponaceum was first described in 1818 by the father of mycology
Tricholoma saponaceum is yet another fungus which may represent a species complex of two or more species. The variety ardosiacum, described by Italian mycologist Giacomo Bresadola, has a dark blue-grey cap.
Description
Tricholoma saponaceum has a convex cap about 4–15 cm (1.6–5.9 in) across, with a vague umbo[5] which flattens with age. The colour is highly variable, with greyish, greenish, olive, yellowish and brownish shades reported. The cap is paler at the margin and fades with age. The widely spaced gills are adnexed and whitish, although may be tinted pale green and bruise pink. The whitish stipe (also sometimes displaying colors present in the cap) lacks a ring and can be swollen in its midriff, and measures 4–12 cm (1.6–4.7 in) tall by 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) wide.[5] The flesh can but does not always stain pink-orange, and this color may already be present in the flesh of the stipe's base.[6] The spore print is white, and the oval smooth spores measure 5–6 × 3–4 μm.[3] The odour is distinctive and has been likened to newly scrubbed floors or soap.[4]
Its gills may lead it to being confused with Hygrophorus species.[3] It is similar in appearance to Tricholoma griseoviolaceum.[5]
Distribution and habitat
Tricholoma saponaceum is a terrestrial mushroom found in Europe and North America. It is abundant in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains.
Toxicity
Bland or mild tasting, the fungus is usually classified as inedible or poisonous in guidebooks.[3][4][7] It contains toxins which can cause severe gastric upset.[8]
See also
- Hygrocybe
- List of North American Tricholoma
- List of Tricholoma species
References
- ISSN 0027-5514.
- ISBN 0-304-52257-0.
- ^ ISBN 0-89815-169-4.
- ^ ISBN 0-14-063006-6.
- ^ OCLC 797915861.
- ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.
- ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
- ISBN 978-0-7627-3109-1.