Shaggy parasol

Shaggy parasol is the common name for three closely related species of mushroom, Chlorophyllum rhacodes (or rachodes), C. olivieri and C. brunneum, found in North America, Europe and Southern Africa (the latter species is also found in Australia).

Shaggy parasol
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Agaricaceae
Genus:	Chlorophyllum
Species complex:	Chlorophyllum rhacodes complex

Chlorophyllum rhacodes
float Mycological characteristics
	gills on hymenium
	cap is umbonate or convex
	hymenium is free
	stipe has a ring
	spore print is white
	ecology is saprotrophic
	edibility: not recommended

Taxonomy

Chlorophyllum rhacodes, C. olivieri and C. brunneum were formerly known as Macrolepiota rhacodes or Lepiota rhacodes, but the name was changed on the basis of molecular phylogenetic evidence demonstrating a closer relationship to Chlorophyllum molybdites than to Macrolepiota procera.[1] The subspecies Macrolepiota rhacodes var. brunneum was also elevated to species status as Chlorophyllum brunneum. Chlorophyllum olivieri is a closely related species that is also eaten as the "Shaggy Parasol."

Many reference works spell the epithet "rachodes" rather than "rhacodes". The spelling "rachodes" was used by Vittadini when he first published the species in 1835, but was erroneous as the Greek word rhakos 'piece of cloth' should be transcribed as rhacos. However Index Fungorum keeps to the original author's spelling "rachodes" and so that is the form which should be regarded as correct.[2]

Description

The shaggy parasol is a large and conspicuous agaric, with thick brown scales and protuberances on its fleshy white cap. The gills and spore print are both white in colour. Its stipe is slender, but bulbous at the base, is coloured uniformly and bears no patterns. It is fleshy, and a reddish, or maroon discoloration occurs and a pungent odour is evolved when it is cut. The egg-shaped caps become wider and flatter as they mature.

The stipe of C. rhacodes grows to 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 in) tall and has a diameter of 1 to 2 centimetres. The cap grows to 7.5 to 20 cm (3.0 to 7.9 in) across,

Edibility

Chlorophyllum rhacodes

The shaggy parasol is popularly praised as an edible mushroom. However, it contains toxins which can cause gastric upsets[3] and some individuals show a strong allergic response even after cooking.

Furthermore, young shaggy parasols look identical to the poisonous Chlorophyllum molybdites (the mushroom that causes the most poisonings in North America yearly).[4] Checking the spore print is essential as C. molybdites' print is green (older specimens have slightly green gills). As a result, this mushroom is not recommended for inexperienced hunters.

Similar species

The shaggy parasol is similar in appearance to the similarly edible parasol mushroom, Macrolepiota procera. The latter grows considerably larger however, and is more likely to be found in the open than C. rhacodes which prefers more shade and dislikes open pastures and fields. Another distinguishing feature is that C. rhacodes lacks the brown bands that are on the stem of M. procera.

References

1. Vellinga EC; de Kok RPJ; Bruns TD. (2003). "Phylogeny and taxonomy of Macrolepiota (Agaricaceae)". Mycologia. 95 (3): 442–56. doi:10.2307/3761886. JSTOR 3761886. PMID 21156633. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
2. "Chlorophyllum rachodes page". Species Fungorum. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Retrieved 2017-05-22.
3. Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
4. Chlorophyllum molybdites (MushroomExpert.com)

Further reading

• Collins Gem Guide: Mushrooms and Toadstools, Stefan Buczacki 1982.
• The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms, Knopf Publishing
• The Mushroom Book, Thomas Læssøe & Anna Del Conte, Dorling Kindersley, 1996.