Panaeolus antillarum

Description

Panaeolus antillarum is a common and widely distributed small to medium-sized gray mushroom which grows on dung. It is edible but not commonly eaten. Found from northern North America through Mexico into northern South America.

It is often mistaken for Panaeolus semiovatus var. phalaenarum or Panaeolus cyanescens, the latter species can be distinguished by the thinner, grayer cap and blue bruising.

Some of the Panaeolus genus have been known to cause gastric upset.

Mushroom Identification

1. Cap

   4-10cm in diameter. Hemispherical in shape and very convex – giving a bell shape appearance. White when young, gradually turning off white to grey in color.

2. Gills

   On the underside of fruiting body, turning black with age.

3. Stem

   Long central stipe, up to 22cm tall and 2cm wide. The stem is bare.

4. Odor and Taste

   Fungal smell. Bitter, fungal and unpleasant taste.

5. Spores

   Ellipsoid in shape. Each basidium supports four spores.

6. Spore Print

   Black.

7. Habitat

   Pasture, grasslands, and Mountains with North West inclination where it can be found growing on a variety of manures.

8. Season

   Typically grows Spring to Autumn and is particularly partial to rainy seasons.

Photo sources:

Photo 1 - Author: Liz Popich (Lizzie) (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Photo 2 - Author: Len Worthington (lennyworthington) (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Photo 3 - Author: Alan Rockefeller (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Photo 4 - Author: Glen van Niekerk (primordius) (CC BY-SA 3.0)