Gymnopus dryophilus
Encyclopedia
Gymnopus dryophilus is a mushroom
commonly found in temperate woodlands of Europe and North America. It is generally saprophytic, but occasionally also attacks living wood. It belongs to section Levipedes of the genus, being characterized by a smooth stem
having no hairs at the base (in contrast to section Vestipedes). Until recently it was most frequently known as Collybia dryophila.
is 2 – in diameter, convex, and russet to ochre. The gills, which are only thinly attached to the stem, are whitish and crowded, and the spore powder
is white. The bald stem
is up to 8 centimetres (3.1 in) long by 4 mm in diameter.
Microscopically the spores are 6×3 µm in size and slightly tear-shaped, there are lobed club-shapedcystidia
(15-50 µm × 2-6 µm), and the hypha
e on the cap cuticle
can also have lobes.
It is contended that G. dryophilus in fact consists of a complex
of different species and that several new species (including G. brunneolus, G. earleae and G. subsulphureus) should be split off from it. However these species are not generally recognized at present.
epithet dryophilus means "lover of oak trees", it is also found with other broad-leaved trees and with conifers.
, though not worthwhile. It is recommended not to eat the stem, which is tough.
It has been found to contain anti-inflammatory
beta-glucans
Mushroom
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...
commonly found in temperate woodlands of Europe and North America. It is generally saprophytic, but occasionally also attacks living wood. It belongs to section Levipedes of the genus, being characterized by a smooth 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...
having no hairs at the base (in contrast to section Vestipedes). Until recently it was most frequently known as Collybia dryophila.
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...
is 2 – in diameter, convex, and russet to ochre. The gills, which are only thinly attached to the stem, are whitish and crowded, and the spore powder
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 white. The bald 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 up to 8 centimetres (3.1 in) long by 4 mm in diameter.
Microscopically the spores are 6×3 µm in size and slightly tear-shaped, there are lobed club-shapedcystidia
Cystidium
A cystidium is a relatively large cell found on the hymenium of a basidiomycete , often between clusters of basidia. Since cystidia have highly varied and distinct shapes that are often unique to a particular species or genus, they are a useful micromorphological characteristic in the...
(15-50 µm × 2-6 µm), and the hypha
Hypha
A hypha is a long, branching filamentous structure of a fungus, and also of unrelated Actinobacteria. In most fungi, hyphae are the main mode of vegetative growth, and are collectively called a mycelium; yeasts are unicellular fungi that do not grow as hyphae.-Structure:A hypha consists of one or...
e on the cap cuticle
Cuticle
A cuticle , or cuticula, is a term used for any of a variety of tough but flexible, non-mineral outer coverings of an organism, or parts of an organism, that provide protection. Various types of "cuticles" are non-homologous; differing in their origin, structure, function, and chemical composition...
can also have lobes.
It is contended that G. dryophilus in fact consists of a complex
Species complex
A species complex is a group of closely related species, where the exact demarcation between species is often unclear or cryptic owing to their recent and usually still incomplete reproductive isolation. Ring species, superspecies and cryptic species complex are example of species complex...
of different species and that several new species (including G. brunneolus, G. earleae and G. subsulphureus) should be split off from it. However these species are not generally recognized at present.
Distribution and habitat
This fungus is very common in northern hemisphere temperate woodlands (so much so that it is sometimes considered a "weed" mushroom). It fruits from April to December and is often seen when there are few other fungi in evidence. Although the GreekGreek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
epithet dryophilus means "lover of oak trees", it is also found with other broad-leaved trees and with conifers.
Edibility
Gymnopus dryophilus is generally considered to be edibleEdible mushroom
Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruiting bodies of several species of fungi. Mushrooms belong to the macrofungi, because their fruiting structures are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand...
, though not worthwhile. It is recommended not to eat the stem, which is tough.
It has been found to contain anti-inflammatory
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-inflammatory refers to the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs make up about half of analgesics, remedying pain by reducing inflammation as opposed to opioids, which affect the central nervous system....
beta-glucans
External links
- Index Fungorum
- USDA ARS Fungal Database
- “Gymnopus dryophilus” by Robert Sasata, Healing-Mushrooms.net, December, 2007.
- Kuo, M. (2008, May) Gymnopus dryophilus at the MushroomExpert.Com Web site