Cystoderma amianthinum
Encyclopedia
Cystoderma amianthinum, commonly called the saffron parasol, the saffron powder-cap, or the earthy powder-cap, is a small orange-ochre, or yellowish-brown, gilled mushroom
. It grows in damp mossy grassland, in coniferous forest clearings, or on wooded heaths
. It is probably the most common of the small Cystoderma
genus. Possibly edible
, it is not recommended due to its unpleasant odour and resemblance to poisonous species.
, who called it Agaricus amianthinus in 1772. The present generic name Cystoderma was erected by Swiss mycologist Victor Fayod
in 1889, and is roughly translated as 'Blistered skin', and is probably a reference to the appearance of the pellicle (cap skin).
is usually between 2 and 5 cm (0.8–2 in) in diameter, convex to bell-shaped, and later flat with a slight depression around a low umbo (central boss). It is dry and powdery, often with a shaggy or fringed margin (appendiculate), and is saffron yellow or orange-ochre. The stem
is cylindrical, and has a flaky-granular sheath beneath a fleeting, powdery ring
. The gills are white initially, and become creamy later. They are adnexed (narrowly attached to the stem), and initially quite crowded. The spore print
is white. The flesh
is thin and yellowish, with an unpleasant mouldy smell.
A very similar form with a markedly radially wrinkled cap, has been separated by some authors, and given the binomial Cystoderma rugoso-reticulatum.
Cystodermella granulosa, and Cystodermella cinnabarina
are both redder as a rule, and have adnate gills (broadly attached to the stem).
zones. It occurs in mossy woodland, on heaths, amongst grass or bracken, and sometimes with willow. It is often found on acidic soils.
, but hardly worthwhile, and caution is strongly advised. It resembles the small poisonous members of the genus Lepiota
.
Mushroom
A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus; hence the word "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that...
. It grows in damp mossy grassland, in coniferous forest clearings, or on wooded heaths
Heath (habitat)
A heath or heathland is a dwarf-shrub habitat found on mainly low quality acidic soils, characterised by open, low growing woody vegetation, often dominated by plants of the Ericaceae. There are some clear differences between heath and moorland...
. It is probably the most common of the small Cystoderma
Cystoderma
Cystoderma is a genus of fungi in the family Agaricaceae.The name probably comes from the Greek kýstis meaning pouch and derma meaning skin.-List of species:Below is an incomplete list of Cystoderma species....
genus. Possibly edible
Edible mushroom
Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruiting bodies of several species of fungi. Mushrooms belong to the macrofungi, because their fruiting structures are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand...
, it is not recommended due to its unpleasant odour and resemblance to poisonous species.
Taxonomy
Cystoderma amianthinum was first noted by the Italian-Austrian naturalist Giovanni Antonio ScopoliGiovanni Antonio Scopoli
Giovanni Antonio Scopoli was an Italian physician and naturalist.-Biography:...
, who called it Agaricus amianthinus in 1772. The present generic name Cystoderma was erected by Swiss mycologist Victor Fayod
Victor Fayod
Victor Fayod was a Swiss mycologist. He is credited with the first description of the mushroom Cystoderma amianthinum. He studied in Lausanne and Zurich. Fayod first worked with Heinrich Anton de Bary in Strasbourg from 1881 to 1882, then as a tutor. He also assisted French bacteriologist André...
in 1889, and is roughly translated as 'Blistered skin', and is probably a reference to the appearance of the pellicle (cap skin).
Description
The capPileus (mycology)
The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium. The hymenium may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus...
is usually between 2 and 5 cm (0.8–2 in) in diameter, convex to bell-shaped, and later flat with a slight depression around a low umbo (central boss). It is dry and powdery, often with a shaggy or fringed margin (appendiculate), and is saffron yellow or orange-ochre. The stem
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
is cylindrical, and has a flaky-granular sheath beneath a fleeting, powdery ring
Annulus (mycology)
An annulus is the ring like structure sometimes found on the stipe of some species of mushrooms. The annulus represents the remaining part of the partial veil, after it has ruptured to expose the gills or other spore-producing surface. An annulus may be thick and membranous, or it may be cobweb-like...
. The gills are white initially, and become creamy later. They are adnexed (narrowly attached to the stem), and initially quite crowded. The spore print
Spore print
thumb|300px|right|Making a spore print of the mushroom Volvariella volvacea shown in composite: mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; cap removed after 24 hours showing pinkish-tan spore print...
is white. The flesh
Trama (mycology)
In mycology trama is a term for the inner, fleshy portion of a mushroom's basidiocarp, or fruit body. It is distinct from the outer layer of tissue, known as the pileipellis or cuticle, and from the spore-bearing tissue layer known as the hymenium....
is thin and yellowish, with an unpleasant mouldy smell.
A very similar form with a markedly radially wrinkled cap, has been separated by some authors, and given the binomial Cystoderma rugoso-reticulatum.
Cystodermella granulosa, and Cystodermella cinnabarina
Cystodermella cinnabarina
Cystodermella cinnabarina is a basidiomycete fungus of the genus Cystodermella. Its fruiting body is a small agaric bearing a distinctive reddish-coloured grainy cap. It occurs in coniferous and deciduous forests throughout the world...
are both redder as a rule, and have adnate gills (broadly attached to the stem).
Distribution and habitat
Cystoderma amianthinum is widespread in Europe and North America, and common in northern temperateTemperate
In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar circles. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally relatively moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold...
zones. It occurs in mossy woodland, on heaths, amongst grass or bracken, and sometimes with willow. It is often found on acidic soils.
Edibility
Cystoderma amianthinum is said to be edibleEdible mushroom
Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruiting bodies of several species of fungi. Mushrooms belong to the macrofungi, because their fruiting structures are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand...
, but hardly worthwhile, and caution is strongly advised. It resembles the small poisonous members of the genus Lepiota
Lepiota
Lepiota is a genus of gilled mushrooms in the family Agaricaceae. All Lepiota species are ground-dwelling saprotrophs with a preference for rich, calcareous soils. Basidiocarps are agaricoid with whitish spores, typically with scaly caps and a ring on the stem. Around 400 species of Lepiota are...
.