Leucopaxillus albissimus
{{Short description|Species of fungus}}
{{Speciesbox
| image =Leucopaxillus albissimus (4496737529).jpg
| image_caption =
| genus= Leucopaxillus
| species = albissimus
| authority = (Peck) Singer (1939)
| synonyms = *Agaricus albissimus Peck (1873)
}}
{{mycomorphbox
| name = Leucopaxillus albissimus
| whichGills = decurrent
| capShape = convex
| capShape2 = flat
| hymeniumType = gills
| stipeCharacter = bare
| ecologicalType = saprotrophic
| sporePrintColor = white
| howEdible = inedible
}}
Leucopaxillus albissimus, commonly known as the large white leucopaxillus,{{Cite book |last=Arora |first=David |author-link=David Arora |title=Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi |url=https://archive.org/details/arora-david-mushrooms-demystified-a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-fleshy-fungi-ten-speed-press-1986/page/164/mode/2up |date=1986 |publisher=Ten Speed Press |isbn=978-0-89815-170-1 |location=Berkeley, CA |orig-date=1979 |edition=2nd |pages=167-168}} is a species of mushroom that lives as a saprobe, decaying the litter under coniferous trees. It produces a large white fruiting body that is unusually resistant to decay. It is considered inedible.
Description
The species is generally white, with albissimus meaning 'whitest' in Latin.{{cite book|last1=Trudell|first1=Steve|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WevHvt6Tr8kC|title=Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest|last2=Ammirati|first2=Joe|publisher=Timber Press|year=2009|isbn=978-0-88192-935-5|series=Timber Press Field Guides|location=Portland, OR|pages=111}}
The cap is {{Convert|4–20|cm|frac=2}} wide, exceptionally up to 40 cm, and slowly changes from convex to plane; occasionally the disc is depressed. When young, the margin is incurved and faintly striate. The cap's surface is dry, unpolished, and smooth; in moderate weather, it becomes scaled and a shade of cream to cream-buff.McKenny et al.: p. 83 As it ages, the cap's surface turns buff-tan. Overall, the flesh is white, moderately thick, and has a mild odor.{{cite web|url=https://www.mushroomexpert.com/leucopaxillus_albissimus.html|title=Leucopaxillus albissimus|last=Kuo|first=M.|date=February 2007|publisher=MushroomExpert.Com |access-date=2009-06-18}}
The gills are crowded, broad, and decurrent. Although they are originally cream-colored, the gills turn buff-tan with age. Varying from 3–7 cm in length, the stipe is 2.5–4 cm thick, stout, and often enlarged at the base. The surface of the stipe varies from smooth to finely-scaled and is a cream color when young; it may turn buff-tan in age. When handled, it bruises pale buff-brown at the base.Arora (1991): p. 58
The spore print is white. The elliptical spores are ornamented with amyloid warts. The spores measure 5–7 x 3.5–5 μm.{{cite book |author=Lincoff GH| title=The Audubon Society field guide to North American mushrooms | year=1981 | publisher=Alfred A. Knopf | isbn=0-394-51992-2}}
The species demonstrates a tendency not to rot, with the biological reason for this unknown.{{cite web |title=Rogers Mushrooms ; Mushroom Pictures & Mushroom Reference |url=http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~6336.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704141421/http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~6336.asp |archive-date=2008-07-04 |access-date=2009-06-18}}{{cite web |last=Wood |first=Michael |author2=Stevens, Fred |title=California Fungi—Leucopaxillus albissimus |url=https://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Leucopaxillus_albissimus.html |access-date=2009-06-18 |publisher=MykoWeb}}
{{gallery|mode=packed
|Leucopaxillus albissimus spores.jpg|Spores
}}
= Similar species =
Leucopaxillus gentianeus is closely related. Clitocybe species may appear similar due to the decurrent gills.{{Cite book |last=Davis |first=R. Michael |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/797915861 |title=Field Guide to Mushrooms of Western North America |last2=Sommer |first2=Robert |last3=Menge |first3=John A. |publisher=University of California Press |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-520-95360-4 |location=Berkeley |pages=138 |oclc=797915861}}
Habitat
Primarily residing under conifers and hardwoods, L. albimissus is often scattered or gregarious in arcs or rings. It fruits from mid to late winter in California, and in autumn in other parts of North America.Miller: sp. 160
Edibility
It is considered inedible,{{cite book |last=Phillips |first=Roger |title=Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America |publisher=Firefly Books |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-55407-651-2 |location=Buffalo, NY |page=67}} resisting all but the most thorough cooking.
References
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q6534177}}
Category:Fungi described in 1873
Category:Fungi of North America