Hygrocybe psittacina
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| Hygrocybe psittacina (Schaeff.: Fries) Kumm. |
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Hygrocybe psittacina, commonly known as the Parrot Toadstool or Parrot Waxcap, is a colourful member of the genus Hygrocybe, the waxcaps, found across Northern Europe. Originally described as Hygrophorus psittacinus, there have been at least two subspecies described.
This fungus is interesting as its bright green colour is not due to chlorophyll as fungi do not possess this pigment.
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[edit] Description
The Parrot Toadstool is a small mushroom, with a convex to umbonate cap 1-3 centimetres (⅓-1 in) in diameter, which is green when young and later yellowish or even pinkish tinged. The 2-4 cm stem is green to greenish yellow. The broad adnate gills are greenish with yellow edges and spore print white. The green colouring persists at the stem apex even in old specimens.
[edit] Distribution and habitat
The Parrot Toadstool is widely distributed in grasslands in Europe, as well as Australia and New Zealand, being found in late summer and autumn. In Europe it is apparently in decline during to degradation of habitats.
[edit] Edibility
Despite its small size and being coated in a sticky substance, Hygrocybe psittacina is edible.
[edit] References
- Phillips R (1985). Mushrooms of Great Britain and Europe. Pan Books. ISBN 0-330-26441-9.
- Fuhrer B. (2005) A Field Guide to Australian Fungi. Bloomings Books. ISBN 876473-51-7
- Brian Spooner (1996). Mushrooms and Toadstools. Collins. ISBN 0-00-220007-4.
