False Parasol (Chlorophyllum molybdites)
Description
If you've ever spotted a young, white mushroom ⚪ popping up in your yard after a summer rain, beware! It could be Chlorophyllum molybdites, also known as the Green-Spored Lepiota—a common culprit behind fairy rings and one of the most frequently consumed poisonous mushrooms in North America.
🌧️ This mushroom thrives in moist conditions with high nitrogen levels from decaying organic material like grass clippings or leaves. Though safe to touch, it's highly poisonous if ingested, leading to severe gastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) within 1-3 hours. Despite being non-lethal, hospital treatment may be required in extreme cases due to dehydration. You'll often spot these mushrooms after a rainstorm in Eastern North America, California, and subtropical regions worldwide.
🌈 Unlike psychedelic mushrooms, Chlorophyllum molybdites won’t send you on a mind-altering trip—no psychedelic effects here!
🧹 If you're looking to rid your yard of this pesky mushroom, improving drainage, removing decaying material, and reducing shade are key. You can also try using fungicide or a dish soap solution to tackle the fairy ring invaders.
📜 The name "Chlorophyllum molybdites" comes from "chlorophyll," meaning green, because its spores can be grayish-green. It was once classified as a Lepiota and called the "Green Spored Lepiota," but even after being reclassified to Chlorophyllum, the common name stayed the same. The species name "molybdites" comes from the Greek word "molybdos," meaning lead.
Common names: False Parasol, Green Gill, Green-Spored Parasol, Green Spored Lepiota, German (Falsche Sonnenschirm Pilz), Netherlands (Groenspoorparasolzwam).
Mushroom Identification
🎩 Cap: The cap ranges from 3.94 to 13.78 inches (10 to 35 cm) in diameter. It starts convex when young and flattens with age. Initially smooth, it quickly develops brown to pinkish-brown scales, with a fibrous, pale-colored under surface.
🍃 Gills: The gills are free from the stem or slightly attached, densely packed with frequent short gills. The color transitions from white when young to grayish-green or brownish-green as the mushroom matures.
🌱 Stem: The stem is 3.15 to 7.87 inches (8 to 20 cm) long and 0.59 to 1.18 inches (1.5 to 3 cm) thick. It tapers at the top, widens slightly at the base, and is firm, smooth, and white to brown in color, turning slightly brown when handled. It also has a persistent white ring with a greenish to brown lower edge.
🍖 Flesh: The flesh is white throughout and may either not stain when cut or stain reddish-brown to pale pinkish-red at the base. It is thick in texture.
👃👅 Odor and Taste: The False Parasol has no distinctive odor or taste.
🟢 Spore Print: A key identifier is the spore print, which is dull grayish-green—a feature that distinguishes it from edible parasol mushrooms.
🏕️ Habitat: Chlorophyllum molybdites is saprobic, meaning it grows by decomposing dead organic matter. You’ll often find it in lawns, meadows, and other grassy areas, either alone, scattered, or in fairy rings. It appears from summer to fall. In North America, it is widespread, particularly in the eastern Great Plains and throughout the southern United States. It has also been reported in various countries across South America, especially in regions with suitable habitats. In Europe, while less common, it can be spotted in some warmer areas. Additionally, it appears in Asia, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions such as India and Southeast Asia. In Africa, it is found in tropical and subtropical zones, and it also grows in many regions across Australia, thriving in grassy environments.
🔬 Microscopic Features
Spores: 9–13 x 6–9 µm, amygdaliform to ellipsoid, smooth, slightly truncated end, with a small pore (~1 µm).
Cheilocystidia: 40–55 x 10–15 µm, cylindric to subclavate or clavate, thin-walled and smooth.
Pileipellis: A trichoderm (on the center/scales of the cap) or cutis (on the whitish, fibrillose surface).
Look-Alikes
| Characteristic | Chlorophyllum rhacodes (Edible) | Chlorophyllum molybdites (Poisonous) | Macrolepiota procera (Edible) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Up to a foot tall, large parasol-shaped cap | Up to a foot tall, similar in size | Large, but thinner and more slender |
| Cap Appearance | Shaggy, with flaked dark skin revealing lighter underneath | Shaggy appearance, flaked surface | Shaggy with a more scaly, well-defined texture |
| Spore Color | White spores | White spores early, turning green when mature | White spores |
| Edibility | Edible | Poisonous, causes gastrointestinal distress | Edible, considered a choice mushroom |
| Stalk | Thick and sturdy | Thick but more cylindrical | Tall, thin, and more scaly |
| Habitat | Found in woodlands, meadows, grassy areas | Found in lawns and grassy areas | Found in woodlands and meadows |
| Common Confusion | Rarely confused with other mushrooms | Often mistaken for edible parasols due to early white spore stage | Occasionally confused with other parasol mushrooms |
Pet Safety
Is Chlorophyllum molybdites Poisonous to Dogs and Cats? 🐕🐾 Yes! Chlorophyllum molybdites, also known as the false parasol, is highly poisonous to both dogs and cats. ⚠️🐾 This common lawn mushroom may look innocent, but it can cause serious health issues for your furry friends! 🍄❌
Dog Symptoms to Watch Out For:
Vomiting 🤮
Diarrhea 💩
Abdominal pain 🤕
Lethargy 💤
Excessive drooling 😦
If your dog shows any of these signs after munching on wild mushrooms, contact your vet immediately! 🚨🐶 Don't take any risks – better safe than sorry! 🌿🐾
Synonyms
Agaricus molybdites G. Meyer (1818), Primitiae florae essequeboensis, p. 300
Agaricus morganii Peck (1879), The botanical gazette (Crawfordsville), 4(3), p. 137
Agaricus glaziovii Berkeley (1880) [1879-80], Videnskabelige meddelelser fra den Dansk nathuristoriske forening i Kjöbenhavn, 41-42, p. 32
Pholiota glaziovii (Berkeley) Saccardo (1887), Sylloge fungorum omnium hucusque cognitorum, 5, p. 751
Lepiota molybdites (G. Meyer) Saccardo (1887), Sylloge fungorum omnium hucusque cognitorum, 5, p. 30
Lepiota morganii (Peck) Saccardo (1887), Sylloge fungorum omnium hucusque cognitorum, 5, p. 31
Mastocephalus molybdites (G. Meyer) Kuntze (1891), Revisio generum plantarum, 2, p. 860
Mastocephalus morganii (Peck) Kuntze (1891), Revisio generum plantarum, 2, p. 860
Lepiota ochrospora Cooke & Massee (1893), Grevillea, 21(99), p. 73
Chlorophyllum morganii (Peck) Massee (1898), Bulletin of miscellaneous information - Royal Gardens, Kew, 1898(138), p. 136
Chlorophyllum esculentum Massee (1898), Bulletin of miscellaneous information - Royal Gardens, Kew, 1898(138), p. 136
Annularia camporum Spegazzini (1899) [1898], Anales del Museo nacional de Buenos Aires, serie 2, 3, p. 117
Agaricus guadelupensis Patouillard (1899), Bulletin de la Société mycologique de France, 15(3), p. 197
Lepiota esculenta (Massee) Saccardo & P. Sydow (1902), Sylloge fungorum omnium hucusque cognitorum, 16, p. 2
Leucocoprinus molybdites (G. Meyer) Patouillard (1913), Bulletin de la Société mycologique de France, 29(2), p. 215
Lepiota camporum (Spegazzini) Spegazzini (1926), Boletín de la Academia nacional de ciencias en Córdoba, 29, p. 114
Macrolepiota molybdites (G. Meyer) G. Moreno, Bañares & Heykoop (1995), Mycotaxon, 55, p. 467
Video
Photo sources:
Photo 1 - Author: Laitche (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo 2 - Author: Glen van Niekerk (primordius) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo 3 - Author: Ak ccm (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo 4 - Author: Glen van Niekerk (primordius) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo 5 - Author: Glen van Niekerk (primordius) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
