| Phaeolepiota | |
|---|---|
| Phaeolepiota aurea | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Phylum: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Agaricaceae |
| Genus: | Phaeolepiota Maire ex Konrad & Maubl. |
| Type species | |
| Phaeolepiota aurea (Matt.) Maire |
|
| Phaeolepiota aurea | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
| gills on hymenium | |
|
cap is flat or convex |
|
| hymenium is free | |
| stipe has a ring | |
| spore print is reddish-brown | |
| ecology is mycorrhizal | |
|
edibility: not recommended or poisonous |
|
Phaeolepiota is a genus of fungi in the family Agaricaceae. This is a monotypic genus, containing the single species Phaeolepiota aurea. P. aurea, commonly known as golden bootleg or golden cap is a mushroom found throughout North America and Eurasia – often next to nettles.[1]
Various cook books recommend the golden bootleg for its fine taste. Late studies have shown that the fruit body contains traces of Hydrogen cyanide, which is known to be toxic to humans. Therefore the mushroom is no longer considered edible. Heat treatment like cooking reduces the concentration of the poisonous acid, which might be the reason why Phaeolepiota aurea was considered edible in the past.[2]