Gymnopilus junonius
Encyclopedia
Gymnopilus junonius is a species of mushroom in the Cortinariaceae
family. Commonly known as laughing gym, laughing Jim, or the spectacular rustgill, this large orange mushroom is typically found growing on tree stumps, logs, or tree bases. Some subspecies
of this mushroom contain the hallucinogenic compound psilocybin
.
) J.E Lange. The 'Gymn' in the present nomen means 'naked', and 'Juno' was the wife of Jupiter. In Japan this mushroom is called waraitake, which translates to "laughing mushroom".
ranges from 7 to 20 cm across, is convex, and is bright orange, orange/brown, or reddish brown with a dry scaly surface. The stem
is 25 to 265 mm long, 8 to 9 mm thick, and often narrows near the base. The frail ring
is dusted with rusty orange spore
s, the flesh
is yellow and the gill attachment to the stem is adnate to sub-decurrent. It has a bitter taste, stains red with KOH
and turns green when cooked in a pan. The spore print
is rusty orange. "Each individual mushroom can weigh several pounds."
, which contains no psilocybin.
which grows in dense clusters on dead hardwoods and conifers.
This mushroom grows just about everywhere that decaying wood can be found.
. Specimens found in the eastern US or Japan are more likely to contain psilocybin than similar mushrooms found in the western part of the US or Europe. This mushroom contains bis-noryangonin and hispidine, which are structurally related to alpha-pyrones found in kava
.
Cortinariaceae
The Cortinariaceae are a large family of gilled mushrooms found worldwide, containing over 2100 species. The family takes its name from its largest genus, the varied species of the genus Cortinarius...
family. Commonly known as laughing gym, laughing Jim, or the spectacular rustgill, this large orange mushroom is typically found growing on tree stumps, logs, or tree bases. Some subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of this mushroom contain the hallucinogenic compound psilocybin
Psilocybin
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic prodrug, with mind-altering effects similar to those of LSD and mescaline, after it is converted to psilocin. The effects can include altered thinking processes, perceptual distortions, an altered sense of time, and spiritual experiences, as well as...
.
Taxonomy
This species was formerly known as Gymnopilus spectabilis, or Pholiota spectabilis v. junonia (Fr.Elias Magnus Fries
-External links:*, Authors of fungal names, Mushroom, the Journal of Wild Mushrooming.*...
) J.E Lange. The 'Gymn' in the present nomen means 'naked', and 'Juno' was the wife of Jupiter. In Japan this mushroom is called waraitake, which translates to "laughing mushroom".
Description
The capPileus (mycology)
The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium. The hymenium may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus...
ranges from 7 to 20 cm across, is convex, and is bright orange, orange/brown, or reddish brown with a dry scaly surface. The stem
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
is 25 to 265 mm long, 8 to 9 mm thick, and often narrows near the base. The frail ring
Annulus (mycology)
An annulus is the ring like structure sometimes found on the stipe of some species of mushrooms. The annulus represents the remaining part of the partial veil, after it has ruptured to expose the gills or other spore-producing surface. An annulus may be thick and membranous, or it may be cobweb-like...
is dusted with rusty orange spore
Spore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
s, the flesh
Trama (mycology)
In mycology trama is a term for the inner, fleshy portion of a mushroom's basidiocarp, or fruit body. It is distinct from the outer layer of tissue, known as the pileipellis or cuticle, and from the spore-bearing tissue layer known as the hymenium....
is yellow and the gill attachment to the stem is adnate to sub-decurrent. It has a bitter taste, stains red with KOH
KOH test
The KOH Test for Candida albicans, also known as a potassium hydroxide preparation, is a quick, inexpensive fungal test to differentiate between dermatophytes and Candida albicans symptoms from other skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema....
and turns green when cooked in a pan. The spore print
Spore print
thumb|300px|right|Making a spore print of the mushroom Volvariella volvacea shown in composite: mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; cap removed after 24 hours showing pinkish-tan spore print...
is rusty orange. "Each individual mushroom can weigh several pounds."
Similar species
This mushroom is often mistaken for Gymnopilus ventricosusGymnopilus ventricosus
Gymnopilus ventricosus is a species of mushroom in the Cortinariaceae family....
, which contains no psilocybin.
Distribution and habitat
Gymnopilus junonius is a very widely distributed mushroomMushroom
A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus; hence the word "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that...
which grows in dense clusters on dead hardwoods and conifers.
This mushroom grows just about everywhere that decaying wood can be found.
Biochemistry
This mushroom has subspecies which contain the hallucinogen psilocybinPsilocybin
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic prodrug, with mind-altering effects similar to those of LSD and mescaline, after it is converted to psilocin. The effects can include altered thinking processes, perceptual distortions, an altered sense of time, and spiritual experiences, as well as...
. Specimens found in the eastern US or Japan are more likely to contain psilocybin than similar mushrooms found in the western part of the US or Europe. This mushroom contains bis-noryangonin and hispidine, which are structurally related to alpha-pyrones found in kava
Kava
Kava or kava-kava is a crop of the western Pacific....
.