Gymnopus dryophilus

Gymnopus dryophilus is a mushroom commonly found in temperate woodlands of Europe and North America. It is generally saprophytic, but occasionally also attacks living wood. It belongs to section Levipedes of the genus, being characterized by a smooth stem having no hairs at the base (in contrast to section Vestipedes).[1][2] Until recently it was most frequently known as Collybia dryophila.

Gymnopus dryophilus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Fungi
Phylum:
Basidiomycota
Class:
Basidiomycetes
Subclass:
Agaricomycetidae
Order:
Agaricales
Family:
Omphalotaceae
Genus:
Gymnopus
Species:
G. dryophilus
Binomial name
Gymnopus dryophilus
(Bull.) Murrill (1916)
Synonyms

Agaricus dryophilus
Collybia aquosa var. dryophila
Collybia dryophila
Collybia dryophila var. alvearis
Collybia dryophila var. aurata
Marasmius dryophilus
Marasmius dryophilus var. alvearis
Marasmius dryophilus var. auratus
Omphalia dryophilus

Gymnopus dryophilus
View the Mycomorphbox template that generates the following list
Gills on hymenium
Cap is convex
Hymenium is adnexed or free
Stipe is bare
Spore print is white to cream
Ecology is saprotrophic
Edibility is not recommended or unknown

Description

The cap is 2–6 centimetres (3⁄4–2+3⁄8 in) in diameter, convex, and reddish-brown to ochre (fading to tan with dryness); they become more irregular in shape with age.[3] The gills, which are only thinly attached to the stem (detaching with age),[3] are whitish and crowded. The spore powder is white; the buff spores do not react in Melzer's reagent.[3] The bald stem ranges from 2–8 cm (3⁄4–3+1⁄8 in) long by 3–6 mm 3–6 mm (1⁄8–1⁄4 in) in diameter, sometimes thicker at the base.[3][4][5][6][7] The taste is palatable.[3]

Microscopically the spores are 6×3 µm in size and slightly tear-shaped, there are lobed club-shaped cystidia (15–50 µm × 2–6 µm), and the hyphae on the cap cuticle can also have lobes. It is contended that G. dryophilus in fact consists of a complex of different species and that several new species (including G. brunneolus, G. earleae and G. subsulphureus) should be split off from it.[8] However these species are not generally recognized at present.[9]

One similar species is Rhodocollybia butyracea,[7] which has a pinkish spore deposit, and some of the spores turn reddish-brown in Melzer's reagent.[3]

The species may carry the parasite Syzygospora mycetophila, which causes pale growths on the mushroom surface.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This fungus is very common in northern hemisphere temperate woodlands (so much so that it is sometimes considered a "weed" mushroom).[8] It fruits from April to December[10] and is often seen when there are few other fungi in evidence. Although the Greek epithet dryophilus means "lover of oak trees", it is also found with other broad-leaved trees and with conifers.

Grows in arcs and fairy rings in oak and pine woods, or as clusters on wood chip mulch from May to October.[11]

Edibility

Gymnopus dryophilus contains toxins which may cause severe gastrointestinal issues.[12] However, it has been listed as edible by some sources, though not worthwhile.[5][13] It is recommended not to eat the stem, which is tough.

It has been found to contain anti-inflammatory beta-glucans.[14]

The mushroom has a sweet nutty flavor and should not be eaten in contaminated places like industrial or near roads due to its capacity to take up mercury. It is edible but may cause gastrointestinal issues in some people.[11]

References
  1. See "Levipedes" page of "A revision of Collybia s.l. in the northeastern United States & adjacent Canada", Roy Halling.
  2. Meinhard Moser, translated by Simon Plant: Keys to Agarics and Boleti (Roger Phillips 1983) ISBN 0-9508486-0-3
  3. Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. pp. 117–118. ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.
  4. Courtecuisse, R. & Duhem, B. (1994) "Guide des champignons de France et d'Europe" Delachaux et Niestlé ISBN 2-603-00953-2, also available in English
  5. Marcel Bon: The Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and North-Western Europe Hodder & Stoughton ISBN 0-340-39935-X.
  6. Phillips, Roger (1981). Mushrooms and other fungi of Great Britain & Europe London: Pan Books Ltd.
  7. Davis, R. Michael; Sommer, Robert; Menge, John A. (2012). Field Guide to Mushrooms of Western North America. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 184. ISBN 978-0-520-95360-4. OCLC 797915861.
  8. Kuo, M. (2008, May). Gymnopus dryophilus at the MushroomExpert.Com Web site)
  9. Index Fungorum
  10. Régis Courtecuisse : "Mushrooms of Britain & Europe" (Harper Collins 1999). ISBN 0-00-220012-0
  11. Russell, Bill (2006). Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic. Pennsylvania State University Press. p. 36. ISBN 0-271-02891-2.
  12. Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p. 178. ISBN 978-0-7627-3109-1.
  13. Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 70. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
  14. Pacheco-Sanchez M, Boutin Y, Angers P, Gosselin A, Tweddell RJ. (2006). A bioactive (1→3)-, (1→4)-β-D-glucan from Collybia dryophila and other mushrooms. Mycologia. 98(2): 180-5.
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