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Clitocybe odora, also known as the Aniseed toadstool is a blue-green mushroom that grows near deciduous and coniferous trees. They can be found growing in small groups along the side of tree roots. Many mushroom guidebooks suggest that it is edible, but a few expert mushroom hunters insist it should be avoided. The anise odor is due to the presence of p-Anisaldehyde and a small amount of benzaldehyde. [1]
[edit] Description
Young specimens have a light blue texture on the cap which fades to grey in age. The gills and stem are white with no ring. Mushroom hunters should be sure to pick mature ones, mainly because the younger ones can be confused with several similar poisonous ones that grow along with this mushroom. Make sure you observe every part before you put it in your basket. Also, check the stem and cut the cap to see if there are any fly larvae.
Full grown specimens have blue-green, flowery, cup-shaped caps; the gills are creamy white. The cap's surface feels rough. The stem is thick, is attached to the gills with no rings, and is textured, with a pale-yellow colour. The younger ones have a bell-shaped cap with a light blue or icy blue colour. The gills and stem are white. It has a strong scent and taste of aniseed, hence its name.
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