| Leucopaxillus albissimus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Tricholomataceae |
| Genus: | Leucopaxillus |
| Species: | L. albissimus |
| Binomial name | |
| Leucopaxillus albissimus (Sowerby) Singer |
|
| Leucopaxillus albissimus | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
| gills on hymenium | |
|
cap is convex or flat |
|
| hymenium is decurrent | |
| stipe is bare | |
| spore print is white | |
| ecology is saprotrophic | |
| edibility: inedible | |
Leucopaxillus albissimus [1] is a saprobic species of fungus in the Tricholomataceae family of mushrooms. One of the larger mushrooms in the San Francisco Bay Area, Leucopaxillus albissimus has a fruiting body that is unusually resistant to decay.[1][2][3]
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The cap of Leucopaxillus albissimus is 4–20 cm wide, and slowly changes from convex to becoming plane; occasionally, the disc is depressed. when young, the margin is incurved and faintly striate. The cap's surface is dry, unpolished, and smooth; in moderate weather, it becomes scaled and a shade of cream to cream-buff.[4] As it ages, the cap's surface turns buff-tan. Overall, the flesh is white, moderately thick, and contains a mild odor.[5]
Gills are bunched together, broad, and have decurrent attachment to the stem, which runs down the stem. Although they are originally cream-colored, it turns buff-tan over the years.[6]
Varying from 3–7 cm in height, the stipe of Leucopaxillus albissimus is 2.5–4 cm thick, stout, and enlarged at the base. The surface of the stipe varies from smooth to finely-scaled and is a cream color when young; however, it slowly turns to buff-tan in age. When handled, it turns a bruising pale buff-brown at the base.[7]
As with many other fungal spores, the spores of Leucopaxillus albissimus are 5–7 x 3.5–5 µm, elliptical, and ornamented with amyloid warts. In addition, Leucopaxillus albissimus has a white spore print.[8]
Primarily residing under conifers and hardwoods, Leucopaxillus albimissus is often scattered and gregarious in arcs or rings. They fruit from mid to late winter.[9]