Mycosmos December 2013 | Page 12

MYCOSMOS ONLINE edition

12

Leratiomyces ceres

Cortinarius violaceus

Leratiomyces ceres (Redlead Roundhead)

Photo by John Gouda

Leratiomyces ceres, commonly known as the Redlead Roundhead, is mushroom which has a bright red to orange cap and dark purple-brown spore deposit. It is usually found growing gregariously on wood chips and is one of the most common and most distinctive mushrooms found in that habitat.It is also known as Stropharia aurantiaca, Hypholoma aurantiaca, Naematoloma aurantiaca, and a number of other synonyms. It is common in wood chips and lawns in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere.

Violet webcap (Cortinarius violaceus)

photo by Agorastos Papatsanis

Cortinarius violaceus is a mushroom in the genus Cortinarius. It is the type species of the genus, but is distinguished from other species due to its dark colouration and distinct cystidia. Though edible, its primary appeal is its appearance, as it is the darkest mushroom in the genus, comparable only with members of other genera.The flesh of C. violaceus has a mild taste, with a slight smell reminiscent of cedar-wood.[5] It is considered edible, but is not choice; instead, its primary appeal, according to Arora, is its beauty.

Stropharia aeruginosa.

Photo by Dimitris Volovotsis

Stropharia aeruginosa, commonly known as the verdigris agaric, is a medium-sized green, slimy woodland mushroom, found on lawns, mulch and woodland from spring to autumn. The edibility of this mushroom is controversial[1] - some sources claim that it's edible, while others claim it to be poisonous, although effects are little known and its toxic constituents undescribed.

Stropharia aeruginosa

Mycosmos /December 2013