Morgan's Umbrella (Chlorophyllum molybdites)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
- Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
- Family: Agaricaceae (Champignon)
- Genus: Chlorophyllum (Chlorophyllum)
- Species: Chlorophyllum molybdites (Morgan's Umbrella)
Other names:
Lepiota Morgana
Chlorophyllum Morgan
Description:
The cap is 8-25 cm in diameter, brittle, fleshy, spherical in youth, then prostrate or even depressed in the center, from white to light brown, with brown scales that merge together in the center. Turns reddish brown when pressed.
The plates are loose, wide, at first white, when the mushroom ripens, they are olive green, which is its characteristic distinguishing feature.
The leg is slightly widened towards the base, whitish, with fibrous brownish scales, with a large, often mobile, sometimes falling off double ring, 12-16 cm long.
The pulp is white at first, then becomes reddish, then yellowish at the break.
Spread:
Morgan's umbrella grows in open areas, meadows, lawns, golf courses, less often in the forest, singly or in groups, sometimes forming "witch's rings". Occurs from June to October.
Distributed in the tropical zone of Central and South America, Oceania, Asia. Quite common in North America, found in the New York and Michigan area. Common in the North and Southwest United States. Found in Israel, Turkey (mushrooms in photos).
Distribution in Russia is not known.
Rating:
A highly poisonous mushroom. Contains toxic protein. The clinical picture includes irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause severe (even fatal) poisoning.