Shaggy parasol
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| Macrolepiota rhacodes (Vittad.) Sing. (1949) |
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The shaggy parasol, Macrolepiota rhacodes, is a mushroom that grows in much of North America and Europe. Its genus name is undergoing changes - it used to be known as Lepiota rhacodes (Vittad.) Quél. (1872) and its current name is Chlorophyllum rhacodes (Vittad.) Vellinga (2002).
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[edit] Features
The shaggy parasol is a large and conspicuous agaric, with thick brown scales and protuberances on its fleshy white cap. The gills and spore print are both white in colour. Its stipe is slender, coloured uniformly and bears no patterns. It is fleshy and when any tissue is cut, a reddish, or maroon discoloration occurs and a pungent odour is evolved. At its base, the stipe is very bulbous. As they mature, the egg-shaped caps become wider and flatter.
The stem of M. rhacodes grows to 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) tall. The cap grows to 3 to 8 inches (7.5 to 20 centimeters) across. The stipe has a diameter of 1 to 2 centimetres.
[edit] Edibility
The shaggy parasol is popularly praised as a choice edible. However, it is widely agreed, the mushroom contains toxins which can cause gastric upsets when the mushroom is consumed raw or undercooked and is potentially harmful to a few individuals even after cooking.
[edit] Similar species
The shaggy parasol is similar in appearance to the parasol mushroom, Macrolepiota procera. The latter grows considerably larger however and is more likely to be found in the open than M. rhacodes which seems to prefer more shade and dislikes open pastures and fields. Another distinguishing feature is that M. rhacodes lacks the brown bands that are on the stem of M. procera.
Both these species are edible. Both species used to be classified in the genus Lepiota.
[edit] References
- Collins Gem Guide: Mushrooms and Toadstools, Stefan Buczacki 1982.
- The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms, Knopf Publishing
- The Mushroom Book, Thomas Læssøe & Anna Del Conte, Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
