Chlorophyllum brunneum (Farlow & Burt) Vellinga
Mycotaxon 83: 416. 2002.

Common Name: Shaggy Parasol

Synonyms: Macrolepiota rhacodes var. hortensis, Lepiota brunnea

Misapplied names: Macrolepiota rachodes, Lepiota rachodes

• Pileus

  Cap 7-20 cm broad, subglobose to pulvinate, becoming convex to nearly plane in age; surface dry, brown, smooth, breaking up into coarse, brown, concentrically arranged scales except for the disc where the cuticle remains intact; margin inrolled at first, frequently appendiculate; flesh thick, white, discoloring yellow-orange, darkening to reddish-brown.

• Lamellae

  Gills white, close, free, staining brown in age.

• Stipe

  Stipe 6-16 cm long, 2-3 cm thick, enlarged to abruptly bulbous at base; smooth, white, bruising brown; veil white, thick, breaking to form a well developed, movable, double lipped superior annulus.

• Spores

  Spores 8-10 x 5-7 µm, ovoid, smooth, dextrinoid, with an apical germ pore. Spores print white.

• Habitat

  Solitary to gregarious, sometimes in cespitose clusters, fruiting spring, summer and fall; common in lawns, gardens, and near compost heaps; also under Monterey cypress and Eucalyptus. Summer fogs are often sufficient to trigger fruitings along the coast.

• Edibility

  Edible and choice, but a few allergic reactions have been reported.

• Comments

  Chlorophyllum brunneum, with its coarse brown cap scales on a white ground color, free gills, and bulbous base is a distinctive mushroom. Nevertheless, care should be taken to avoid mistaking it for a toxic Amanita species. Some Amanita species have cap warts (remnants of a universal veil) superficially resembling the scales in Chlorophyllum brunneum, but these can be easily rubbed off, while the scales in the Shaggy Parasol must be torn off. Additionally, Chlorophyllum brunneum, while having a bulbous base, lacks the true volva of an Amanita. Chlorophyllum molybdites, a cousin of the Shaggy parasol, is a toxic species and similar in appearance, but mature specimens can be told apart by their olive-green gills and spore print. It is rare in the S.F. Bay Area, preferring the warmer climate of California's Central Valley and Southern California.

  For years this species went under the name of Macrolepiota rachodes (now Chlorphyllum rachodes). Although Chlorphyllum rachodes does occur in California, it is not common. Our common Shaggy Parasol is Chlorophyllum brunneum.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Robert Mackler: Chlorophyllum brunneum (CP)
  • Fred Stevens: Chlorophyllum brunneum (CP)
  • Fred Stevens: Chlorophyllum brunneum (CP)
  • Fred Stevens: Chlorophyllum brunneum (CP)
  • Nathan Wilson: Chlorophyllum brunneum (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Chlorophyllum brunneum (CP) — closeup of cap margin, gills, and annulus
  • Michael Wood: Chlorophyllum brunneum (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Chlorophyllum brunneum (CP) — young sporocarps
  • Michael Wood: Chlorophyllum brunneum (CP)
  • Else Vellinga: Chlorphyllum (D & I) [PDF]
  • Pacific Northwest Key Council: Chlorphyllum key (D & CP)
  • Mushroom Observer: Chlorophyllum brunneum (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 297 (D & P), plate 69 (CP) [as Lepiota rachodes]
  • Arora (1991): p. 95 (D & CP) [as Lepiota rachodes]
  • Phillips: p. 30 (D & CP) [as Lepiota rhacodes var. hortensis]
  
  

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)