Macrolepiota procera is a multicellular, edible fungus belonging to the Basidiomycota group. Their common names are parasol mushroom, damper mushroom, galamperna, cucurril, matacandil, among others.
It is a common fungus in well-drained soils, appearing to grow singly or in groups, in grasslands and sometimes in woody tree forests. The total height of M. procera can reach 40 cm, impressive size for a mushroom.
Figure 1. Macrolepiota procera in juvenile and adult stages. Source: Chrumps
characteristics
Morphology
Pileus or hat
Figure 2. Macrolepiota procera, the scales on the hat, the zigzag pattern of the foot and the double ring are observed. Source: George Chernilevsky
The M. procera fungus has a fleshy, light brown cap, the shape of which varies with age; since in youth it is hemispherical, convex, ovoid and closed; while in adulthood it is flattened, open and takes the shape of an umbrella or parasol. It can reach a considerable diameter between 12 cm and 40 cm.
The hat of M. procera has thick, dark brown scales with a concentric arrangement, which can be easily removed, and a dark brown umbon in the center.
The blades are wide, free, soft, have white lamellae with pink tints, and are closely arranged.
The cuticle of the hat is greyish-white, fibrous, easily separable from the meat and has scales. The edge of the cuticle appears broken, with scallops.
Stipe, peduncle or foot
Extreme care must be taken with the Macrolepiota venenata fungus, a highly poisonous species that is also large in size, with a hat with a diameter greater than 15 cm, but which has radially distributed hat scales.
Other common names of
The Macrolepiota procera mushroom is designated with many common or colloquial names depending on the locality, that is, these names are only used in a particular region. The name parasol is the most widespread, but there are other common names for this fungus such as: galamperna, quencher, candelabrum. In the English language it is called "parasol mushroom", which means parasol mushroom.
References
- Alexopoulus, CJ, Mims, CW and Blackwell, M. Editors. (nineteen ninety six). Introductory Mycology. 4th Edition. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
- Dighton, J. (2016). Fungi Ecosystem Processes. 2nd Edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
- Falandysz, J., Sapkota, A., Dryżałowska, A., Mędyk, M. and Feng, X: (2017). Analysis of some metallic elements and metalloids composition and relationships in parasol mushroom Macrolepiota procera. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 24 (18): 15528-15537. doi: 10.1007 / s11356-017-9136-9
- Kavanah, K. Editor. (2017). Fungi: Biology and Applications. New York: John Wiley
- Kułdo, E., Jarzyńska, G., Gucia, M. and Falandysz, J. (2014). Mineral constituents of edible parasol mushroom Macrolepiota procera (Scop. Ex Fr.) Sing and soils beneath its fruiting bodies collected from a rural forest area. Chemical Papers. 68 (4): 484-492. doi: 10.2478 / s11696-013-0477-7