Clitocybe eccentrica

[Basidiomycetes > Agaricales > Tricholomataceae > Clitocybe...]

by Michael Kuo

There are several similar species of Clitocybe, and I wouldn't swear that the illustrated mushrooms are undoubtedly, definitively, decidedly Clitocybe eccentrica specimens--but what do you want me to be, a "mushroom expert?" I'm just an English teacher with a rather unfortunately named Web site. If "MushroomEquivocator.Com" weren't so hard to spell . . .

At any rate, Clitocybe eccentrica is characterized by its clustered growth on wood or woody debris (including wood chips) in eastern North America; the presence of numerous white rhizomorphs at the base of the stem; its small, whitish to pale brownish cap; its early-summer appearance (though it often continues to fruit until fall); and microscopic features (see below).

Edibility is not known for Clitocybe eccentrica. I do not recommend any clitocyboid mushroom, other than Clitocybe nuda, for the table.

Description:

Ecology: Saprobic; growing gregariously or, more often, in clusters on wood (primarily the wood of hardwoods) or woody debris; late May through fall; widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains.

Cap: 1-6 cm; convex, becoming flat or shallowly vase-shaped; dry; smooth; whitish to pale brownish; usually changing color markedly as it dries out; the margin frequently inrolled.

Gills: Running down the stem; fairly crowded; white or buff.

Stem: 3-5 cm long; up to 7 mm thick; often somewhat off-center (hence the species name); more or less equal; dry; smooth or finely hairy above, densely hairy ("strigose") at the extreme base; with white rhizomorphs attached.

Flesh: Thin; watery or pale.

Odor and Taste: Taste not distinctive or bitter; odor not distinctive or somewhat fragrant.

Spore Print: White to creamy.

Chemical Reactions: KOH on cap surface yellowish to yellow.

Microscopic Details: Spores 4.5-6 x 2.5-3.5 µ; elliptical; smooth; inamyloid. Clamp connections present.

REFERENCES: Peck, 1989. (Kauffman, 1918; Bigelow, 1982; McNeil, 2006.) Herb. Kuo 06150306, 05250404, 05300411.

Clitocybe albirhiza is a larger, western species that also has numerous rhizomorphs. It is usually collected in early spring under Engelmann Spruce at high elevations.

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Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2005, January). Clitocybe eccentrica. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/clitocybe_eccentrica.html