Clitocybe nebularis
| Clitocybe nebularis | |
|---|---|
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| Species: | C. nebularis
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| Binomial name | |
| Clitocybe nebularis | |
Clitocybe nebularis | |
|---|---|
 | Gills on hymenium |
 | Cap is convex or flat |
 | Hymenium is decurrent |
 | Stipe is bare |
 | Spore print is cream |
 | Edibility is edible |
Clitocybe nebularis or Lepista nebularis, commonly known as the clouded agaric or cloud funnel, is a very abundant gilled fungus which appears both in conifer-dominated forests and broad-leaved woodland in Europe and North America. Appearing in Britain from late summer to late autumn, it is generally considered edible if treated with caution.[1]
Taxonomy
First described and named as Agaricus nebularis in 1789 by August Johann Georg Karl Batsch. It was later placed in the Clitocybe genus in 1871 by Paul Kummer as Clitocybe nebularis. After much consideration by many mycologists, over some years, when it was placed for periods in both Lepista, and Gymnopus, it was placed back in Clitocybe with the specific epithet, and 1871 creditation it retains today.
Clitocybe nebularis var.alba Bataille (1911), differs only in having a milk white cap, and is very rare.[1]
Description
The cap of the mushroom is 5-25 cm (2-8 in) in diameter, convex with an incurved margin, becoming plane to depressed in shape. Cap colours are generally greyish to light brownish-grey, and often covered in a whitish bloom when young. The surface of the cap is usually dry to moist, and radially fibrillose. The stem is stout, swollen towards the base, becomes hollow with age, and is easily broken. It is usually somewhat lighter than the cap.[1] The flesh is white, and very thick. It has a foul-smelling odour, which has been described as slightly farinaceous to rancid. [2]
This species is host to the parasitic gilled mushroom Volvariella surrecta, which is found on older specimens.
It may be confused with the poisonous Entoloma sinuatum both in Europe or North America, though this species has pink sinuate gills.[3]
Edibility
It is edible, but must be boiled before preparation since it can be a source of nausea. It has been said that the odour is the reason why many people would be deterred from trying it.
Gallery
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The Pileus or cap. -
Detail of the gills. -
The gills and cut stipe (stalk)
References
- ^ a b c Roger Phillips (2006). Mushrooms. Pan MacMillan. ISBN 0-330-44237-6.
- ^ "California Fungi: Clitocybe nebularis". Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ Haas H (1969). The Young Specialist looks at Fungi. Burke. p. 128. ISBN 0-222-79409-7.
- Scientific classification: WikiSpecies: Tricholomataceae
- Taxonomy