Parasol Mushroom - Tumblr Posts

Orange Pinwheel Mushroom Marasmius siccus

This tiny umbrella shaped mushroom species is found in forests from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachian Mountains.

Aug. 14th, 2023

St. Louis County, Missouri, USA

Olivia R. Myers

@oliviarosaline

Parasol - Macrolepiota procera

This post will discuss parasol mushrooms or Macrolepiota procera, a fairly large species species of mushroom that can grow up to 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) high.

The pictures (besides of the spores) are from a few autumns ago, I think about three years back.

Fruitbody

The cap of Macrolepiota procera is initially spherical and pale brown with a darker brown area near the crown that breaks into scales, the cap expands until it is flat with a small central bump, called an umbo. The flesh of the cap is white of colour and does not change significantly when cut. The cap diameter at maturity ranges between 10 and 25 centimeters.¹

The gills are broad, crowded, white or pale cream of colour and free, terminating some distance from the stipe.¹

Around the stipe of Macrolepiota procera a large double-edged ring persists but it often becomes movable and falls to the base. The stipe is smooth and white, cream or beige but decorated with small brown scales that often give it a snakeskin appearance.¹

The stipe is bulbous at the base and tapers inwards slightly towards its apex; the diameter of the stem ranges from 1 to 1.5 centimeters, and to 2.5 centimeters across the bulbous base. The stipe height can be up to 30 centimeters.¹

Spores and microscopic features

The spores are white are very pale cream of colour, ellipsoidal, smooth, thick-walled, 12-18 x 8-12µm, with a small germ pore.¹

Ecology and distribution

Parasol mushrooms are saprobic, meaning that it "feeds" on decayed organic matter. They are most common in woodland clearings and in grassy areas next to woodland, growing alone or in small scattered groups. This species occurs in Britain, most parts of mainland Europe and in the USA.¹

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References

1.

Normally I would use more references, but all of the info was the same so I thought this would be fine:)

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Mutuals

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Another mycology infodump, let's gooooooooooo!!!!!!!:)