Leucocoprinus tephrolepis
Species of fungus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leucocoprinus tephrolepis is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Agaricaceae.[1][2]
| Leucocoprinus tephrolepis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Agaricaceae |
| Genus: | Leucocoprinus |
| Species: | L. tephrolepis |
| Binomial name | |
| Leucocoprinus tephrolepis Justo, Bizzi, Angelini & Vizzini (2020) | |
| Leucocoprinus tephrolepis | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
 | Gills on hymenium |
 | Cap is campanulate or flat |
 | Hymenium is free |
 | Stipe has a ring |
 | Ecology is saprotrophic |
 | Edibility is unknown |
Taxonomy
Description
Leucocoprinus tephrolepis is a small dapperling mushroom with very thin white flesh.
Cap: 2-2.5 cm wide, starting paraboloid before expanding to conico-canpanulate and finally flattening with age with a depressed center and a small round umbo that is raised up. The surface is white with a sparse coating of ash grey scales which are sparse or absent at the margins but somewhat dense in the centre disc creating a darker spot. The margins have strong sulcate striations that extend around halfway across the cap and the edges may split. The surface remains white with age. Gills: Free, moderately crowded and white but with a pink-orange tinge developing in older specimens or within a few hours of collecting. The edges remain white and are slightly eroded when viewed with a lens. Stem: 2.5–3 cm long and 2-3mm thick cylindrical to clavate tapering upwards from a slightly bulbous base. The surface is whitish, smooth at the apex but with a powdery to fibrous (pruinose-fibrillose) coating towards the base. The stem also discolours to a pink-orange shade. The thin, membranous, ascending stem ring is white but sometimes has grey edges. It is usually found towards the top of the stem (apical to superior). Spores: 5.5-7 x 3-4 μm. Ellipsoid to ovoid without a germ pore, oblong to subcylindrical when viewed from the side. Dextrinoid and metachromatic. Basidia: 11-18 x 6-9 μm. Clavate to spheropedunculate. Four spored. Smell: Fungal or indistinct.[3]
Etymology
The specific epithet tephrolepis derives from the Greek tephrós meaning ash coloured and lepis meaning scale. This is a reference to the colour of the scales on the cap of this species.[3]
Habitat and distribution
Similar species
Leucocoprinus tephrolepis is considered part of the Leucocoprinus heinemannii complex[3] which is a collection of similar looking species characterised by dark grey or black scales and a dark centre disc. These species can be very difficult to distinguish based only on macroscopic features and may require microscopic or genetic sequencing. The pink-orange discolouration may help distinguish this species from others.[3]