Lepiota
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 Macrolepiota rhacodes
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Secure
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Macrolepiota procera |
Lepiota is a genus of fungi, in the order Agaricales.
These mushrooms typically have rings on the stems, which in larger species are detachable and glide up and down the stem. The cap usually has scales: the colours of the cap, gills and scales are important in determining the exact species, as is sometimes the smell. In the case of Lepiota rachodes (see note), the most obvious feature is that the stems turn orange then saffron when they are broken or cut.
A number of species are edible, notably the parasol mushroom and the shaggy parasol, and some are highly toxic. Generally, the larger species are edible and the smaller not, though a number of the edible species may cause gastric upsets in some people.
The larger species are now classified as Macrolepiota, not Lepiota (for example see[1]).
Note regarding L. rhacodes: Many reference books spell it as Lepiota "rachodes" rather than "rhacodes". The spelling "rachodes" has been used by Vittadini, when he first published this fungus in 1835, but is erroneous as the Greek word "rhakos" (piece of cloth) should be transcribed with "rhacos".
