Clitocybe deceptiva Bigelow
No. Amer. Sp. Clitocybe I: 108. 1982.

Common Name: Anise Mushroom

Misapplied name: Clitocybe suaveolens (Schumach.) Fries

• Pileus

  Cap 1.2-5 cm broad, convex expanding to nearly plane, the disc sometimes slightly to moderately depressed; margin at first incurved, finely striate when moist; surface smooth, hygrophanous, pale tan-brown to grey-brown, fading to pale-buff at maturity, the disk remaining slightly darker; flesh thin, colored like the cap, unchanging; odor of anise; taste mild.

• Lamellae

  Gills adnate to sometimes subdecurrent in age, moderately broad, close, buff-brown at first, milky-white to cream at maturity.

• Stipe

  Stipe 1.5-4.0 cm, 3-5 mm thick, stuffed becoming hollow, round, occasionally flattened; more or less equal to slightly enlarged at the base, the latter with cottony mycelium; surface pallid, appressed fibrillose over a pale-buff or pallid background; cortex flesh pale-buff, unchanging; veil absent.

• Spores

  Spores 6-7.5 x 3.5-4 µm, elliptical, smooth, nonamyloid; spore print cream pinkish-buff.

• Habitat

  Solitary, scattered or in arcs in conifer duff, especially Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata); fruiting from mid to late winter.

• Edibility

  Edible and good, but unsubstantial.

• Comments

  The distinguishing feature of this small, cream-buff mushroom is an unmistakable anise odor. There are several closely related species. Most likely to be encountered is Clitocybe fragrans, a paler mushroom, nearly white, with a "sweet", not anise odor.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Boleslaw Kuznik: Clitocybe deceptiva (CP)
  • Nathan Wilson: Clitocybe deceptiva (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik -- Hunting for Mushrooms: Clitocybe deceptiva (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 162 (D & P)
  • Bigelow (1985): p. 108 (D)
  • Lincoff: p. 751 (D), plate 237 (CP) [as Clitocybe suaveolens]
  
  

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