Leucocoprinus discoideus is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Agaricaceae.[1][2] In the local language when the mushroom cap is open it is known as batakania or bepokua pembe when it is immature with a closed cap.[3] However 'bepokua' may also be used to refer to other similar looking mushroom species such as Micropsalliota bambusicola.[4]
| Leucocoprinus discoideus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Agaricaceae |
| Genus: | Leucocoprinus |
| Species: | L. discoideus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Leucocoprinus discoideus | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Lepiota discoidea Beeli (1936) | |
Leucocoprinus discoideus | |
|---|---|
 | Gills on hymenium |
 | Cap is campanulate or conical |
 | Hymenium is free |
 | Stipe has a ring |
 | Spore print is white |
 | Ecology is saprotrophic |
 | Edibility is unknown |
Taxonomy
editIt was first described in 1936 by the Belgian mycologist Maurice Beeli who classified it as Lepiota discoidea,[5] whilst illustrations of the mushrooms were produced by Mme M. Goossens-Fontana.[6]
In 1977 it was reclassified by the Belgian mycologist Paul Heinemann who classified it as Leucocoprinus discoideus.[7][3]
Description
editLeucocoprinus discoideus is a small dapperling mushroom with whitish flesh which discolours pinkish brown.
Cap: 3-6cm wide with a white, campanulate (bell shaped) to conical cap and a slight brown umbo. It is covered in small brownish ochre scales which are concentrated on the centre disc or umbo and sparsely scattered on the rest of the cap surface. The cap edges have striations which extend about halfway across the cap. Gills: Free, crowded and white. Stem: 7–8 cm tall and 4–5 mm thick with a hairy (tomentose) coating. It is hollow, white and discolours pale pinkish brown with age. The fragile, membranous stem ring is white and located towards the top of the stem. Spore print: White. Spores: Ellipsoid with a pore. (8.1)9.1–11.3 × (5.7)6.3–7.3 μm. Taste: Bitter. When dry it discolours light brown.[6][3]
Habitat and distribution
editL. discoideus is scarcely recorded and little known. The specimens studied by Heinemann were found in the forest of the Eala region in Zaïre (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). They were growing in a dense group on a dead tree trunk and on the ground in a dry forest area.[8] Additional specimens were found near Lubumbashi in the South of the country and found growing on decomposing coffee in a plantation near lake Edward and lake Kivu to the North East.[3]
It was also recorded growing in a potted plant in a greenhouse at the Meise Botanic Garden in Belgium.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Species fungorum - Leucocoprinus discoideus (Beeli) Heinem., Bull. Jard. Bot. natn. Belg. 47(1-2): 84 (1977)". www.speciesfungorum.org. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
- ^ "Mycobank Database - Leucocoprinus discoideus".
- ^ a b c d "Fungus Flora of Tropical Africa - Flore des Champignons d'Afrique Tropicale". Site de ffta-online (in French). Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ Heinemann, P. (1956). "Champignons recoltes au Congo Belge par Madame M. Goossens-Fontana II. Agaricus Fries s.s." Bulletin du Jardin botanique de l'État à Bruxelles. 26 (1): 1–127. doi:10.2307/3667096. ISSN 0374-6313. JSTOR 3667096.
- ^ "Flore Iconographique des Champignons du Congo, Fasc. 15: Hygrophoraceae, Laccaria and Boletineae 2 (Compl.)". www.nhbs.com. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ a b "Fungus Flora of Tropical Africa - Flore des Champignons d'Afrique Tropicale". Site de ffta-online (in French). Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ Heinemann, P. (1977). "Leucocoprinées nouvelles d'Afrique centrale II". Bulletin du Jardin botanique national de Belgique / Bulletin van de National Plantentuin van België. 47 (1/2): 83–86. doi:10.2307/3667983. ISSN 0303-9153. JSTOR 3667983.
- ^ "Botanical Collections - Leucocoprinus discoideus (Beeli) Heinem". www.botanicalcollections.be. BR5020030093235. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "Botanical Collections - Leucocoprinus discoideus (Beeli) Heinem". www.botanicalcollections.be. BR5020020556894. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)