Hebeloma crustuliniforme

Taxobox
name = Hebeloma crustuliniforme

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image_width = 220px
image_caption = "H. crustuliniforme",
woods near Paris, France
regnum = Fungi
divisio = Basidiomycota
classis = Agaricomycetes
ordo = Agaricales
familia = Cortinariaceae
genus = "Hebeloma"
species = "H. crustuliniforme"
binomial = Hebeloma crustuliniforme
binomial_authority = (Bull. ex St. Amans.) Quél.mycomorphbox
name = Hebeloma crustuliniforme
whichGills = adnate
capShape = umbonate
hymeniumType=gills
stipeCharacter=bare
ecologicalType=mycorrhizal
sporePrintColor=brown
howEdible=poisonous

"Hebeloma crustuliniforme", commonly known as poison pie or fairy cakes, is a gilled mushroom of the genus "Hebeloma" found in Europe and North America, and has been introduced into Australia. Its specific name derives from the Latin "crustulum" or little biscuit. Despite the appetising name, it is definitely not edible. [ Nilsson, S. & Persson, O. (1977) "Fungi of Northern Europe 2: Gill Fungi". Penguin Books.]

Description

The buff to pale tan cap is 4-10 cm in diameter, convex then umbonate with an inrolled cap margin until old. The gills are pale grey-brown and exude droplets in moist conditions. The stipe is 4-7 cm high and bears no ring, while the thick flesh is white. The fungus has a radish-like smell and bitter taste. [cite book | author = Phillips R | year = 1985 | title = Mushrooms of Great Britain and Europe | publisher = Pan Books | id = ISBN 0-330-26441-9]

Distribution and habitat

A common mushroom, "Hebeloma crustuliniforme" can be found in open woodland and heathland in summer and autumn, though may extend through winter in places with milder winters such as California.cite book | author = Phillips R | year = 1991 | title = Mushrooms of North America | publisher = Little, Brown & Co. | id = ISBN]

Toxicity

This fungus is poisonous, the symptoms being those of a severe gastrointestinal nature, namely vomiting, diarrhea and colicky abdominal pain several hours after consumption. [cite book | last = North| first = Pamela | year = 1967 | title = Poisonous Plants and Fungi in colour | publisher = Blandford Press & Pharmacological Society of Great Britain ] As yet, the toxic agents have not been identified.cite journal |author=Benjamin DR |title=Hebeloma crustuliniforme |pages=362–363 in: cite book |title=Mushrooms: poisons and panaceas — a handbook for naturalists, mycologists and physicians |publisher=New York: WH Freeman and Company |year=1995] [Price HW (1927) Mushroom poisoning due to "Hebeloma crustuliniforme" "American Journal of Diseases of Childhood" 34 441-442]

References