Lyophyllum decastes
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Lyophyllaceae
Genus: Lyophyllum
Species:
L. decastes
Binomial name
Lyophyllum decastes
(Fr.) Singer
Synonyms
  • Agaricus decastes Fr. (1818)

Lyophyllum decastes, commonly known as the fried chicken mushroom,[1] or chicken of the gravel, is an edible (when cooked) species of fungus in the family Lyophyllaceae that grows in clusters on disturbed ground, often near man-made roads in gravel, with a faintly radish-like taste.[2]

Description

The caps are smooth, varied in color,[3] and range from 4–12 cm (1+5⁄8–4+3⁄4 in) wide. The whitish-grayish[3] stalks are 5–10 cm (2–3+7⁄8 in) long and 1–3 cm (3⁄8–1+1⁄8 in) wide. The spores are white.[4]

Gills are white but may yellow slightly with age. The firm flesh remains white on exposure.[2]

Ecology

Growing in dense, even huge clusters on the ground, L. decastes is usually found where the ground has been disturbed such as roadbeds, gravel, paths, landscaping areas, and sometimes in woods.[2]

Range

Prolific in summer and fall until spring on the U.S. West Coast, it is widely distributed in North America and Europe.[2][5]

Edibility

This species is considered edible and good, but should be tried with caution due to some reports of gastric upset,[1] as well as the possibility of confusing it with poisonous Entoloma species or Clitocybe dilatata.[6] The similar species Lyophyllum loricatum is also edible.[5]

Similar species

Lyophyllum decastes is similar in appearance to the toxic species Leucocybe connata, Clitocybe dilatata, and those of the Entoloma genus.[7]

Lyophyllum decastes
View the Mycomorphbox template that generates the following list
Gills on hymenium
Cap is convex
Hymenium is adnate or decurrent
Stipe is bare
Spore print is white
Edibility is edible or choice

Lyophyllum semitale and Pluteus petasatus are also similar in appearance.[4]

L. fumosum is also similar; it and L. loricatum are sometimes grouped with L. decastes owing to a lack of distinct features.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 56. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
  2. ^ a b c d Phyla and decastes description
  3. ^ a b c Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. pp. 112–113. ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.
  4. ^ a b Davis, R. Michael; Sommer, Robert; Menge, John A. (2012). Field Guide to Mushrooms of Western North America. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 139. ISBN 978-0-520-95360-4. OCLC 797915861.
  5. ^ a b Phillips, R. (1981). Mushrooms and other fungi of Great Britain & Europe. Cavaye Place, London SW10 9PG: Pan Books Ltd. p. 43. ISBN 9780330264419.((cite book)): CS1 maint: location (link)
  6. ^ Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p. 115. ISBN 978-0-7627-3109-1.
  7. ^ Meuninck, Jim (2017). Foraging Mushrooms Oregon: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Mushrooms. Falcon Guides. p. 98. ISBN 978-1-4930-2669-2.

Further reading

External links


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