Lepiota aspera

Taxobox
color = lightblue
name = "Lepiota aspera"
status = common

---

image_width = 250px
regnum = Fungi
divisio = Basidiomycota
classis = Agaricomycetes
ordo = Agaricales
familia = Agaricaceae
genus = "Lepiota"
species = "L.aspera"
binomial = "Lepiota aspera"
binomial_authority = (Pers.) Quel.
synonyms = "L. friesii" (Lasch.) Quel.
"L. acutesquamosa var. furcata" Kuhner
"Cystolepiota aspera" (Pers.) Knudsenmycomorphbox
name = Lepiota aspera
whichGills = free
capShape = ovate
capShape2 = campanulate
hymeniumType=gills
stipeCharacter=ring
sporePrintColor=white
howEdible=unknown

"Lepiota aspera"; sometimes known commonly as the Freckled Dapperling, is a large brownish; white gilled mushroom, with a warty or scaly cap. It lives in woodland, or on bark chips in parks, and gardens.

Taxonomy

Noted by two of the most eminent nineteenth century mycologists (Persoon & Fries), the Freckled Dapperling has been back and forth through many taxonomical name changes. For a time; it was placed with the so called spiny "Lepiota" species into a separate sub-genus called "Echinoderma", and was also placed into "Cystolepiota". However; the most recent and widely accepted binomial name is "Lepiota aspera" (Pers.) Quel.cite book | author = Roger Phillips | year = 2006 | title = Mushrooms | publisher = Pan MacMillan | isbn = 0-330-44237-6] The genus name "Lepiota" coming from the Greek, and meaning 'scale', which probably refers to the cap surface.

Description

The cap is oval at first; becoming convex, or campanulate with age. Uniform reddish/brown, or brown at the centre; breaking up into erect scales, on a paler ground, and up to 10cms in diameter. The stem is paler; around 10cms in length, and has sparse brown scales below the ring. The ring itself is large and cottony; sometimes adhering to the cap perimeter, and often taking brownish scales from there, which are seen at it’s edge. The gills are free; crowded, and white, with the spore print being white also. The flesh is white, and is said to smell of rubber; earth ballscite book | author = Marcel Bon | year = 1987 | title = The Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and North Western Europe | publisher = Hodder and Stoughton | isbn = 0 340 39935 X] , or "Lepiota cristata".

imilar species

Check "Lepiota"; "Macrolepiota", and "Amanita" species.

Distribution and Habitat

"Lepiota aspera" appears during autumn; in deciduous woodland, or in parks and gardens where 'wood chip' mulch has been used. It has been recorded in most northern temperate zones; England; Europe, and North Africa. cite book | author = Regis Courtecuisse and Bernard Duhem | year = (British version) 1995 | title = Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe | publisher = Harper Collins | isbn = 0 00 220025 2]

Edibility

This mushroom is probably poisonous.

References