Paralepista amoenolens

Description

Paralepistopsis amoenolens is an agaric fungus ascribed to the large genus Clitocybe. It was originally described from Morocco in 1975 as Clitocybe amoenolens by the French mycologist Malençon. It was discovered to be poisonous after several people had consumed specimens all found in the alpine Maurienne valley in the Savoie department over three years. They had mistaken it for the edible common funnel cap (Infundibulicybe sp.) or Paralepista flaccida (formerly Lepista inversa).

In 2012, following DNA analysis, Vizzini and Ercole assigned this species to the new genus Paralepistopsis, which forms a separate clade from other Clitocybes. This change has been accepted by Species Fungorum and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and so the correct name is currently Paralepistopsis amoenolens.

A similar species from Japan, C. acromelalga, known as the poison dwarf bamboo mushroom, had been discovered to be poisonous in 1918.

The resulting syndrome of fungus-induced erythromelalgia lasted from 8 days to 5 months, although one person exhibited symptoms for three years.

Common names: Paralysis Funnel.

Mushroom Identification

1. Cap

   2.8 – 6 cm in diameter, at first hemispherical, then applanate, fleshy and elastic, margin partially wavy, inflexed. Surface viscid when wet, generally whitish-cream, pinkish to faded orange especially in the center, partially wrinkled-areolate.

2. Gills

   Decurrent, sometimes furcate, paler than the pileus, whitish to yellowish ocher or pinkish.

3. Stem

   2.5 – 6 × 0.6 – 1.6 cm, central to slightly eccentric, more or less cylindrical, curved, hollow, slightly paler than the pileus.

4. Taste

   Mild to slightly bitter after prolonged chewing.

5. Odor

   Is distinctly aromatic.

6. Spore Print

   Whitish to pale cream.

Synonyms

1. Paralepistopsis amoenolens

2. Clitocybe amoenolens Malençon

Photo sources:

Photo 1 - Author: Eric Steinert (CC BY-SA 3.0)