Tricholoma ustaloides is a species of mushroom in the large genus Tricholoma. It has a widespread distribution in Europe, where it is typically found in association with oak and beech trees. Although generally considered inedible, it is consumed by some in Mexico.

Tricholoma ustaloides
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Tricholomataceae
Genus: Tricholoma
Species:
T. ustaloides
Binomial name
Tricholoma ustaloides
Romagn. (1954)
Tricholoma ustaloides
View the Mycomorphbox template that generates the following list
Gills on hymenium
Cap is convex
Hymenium is adnexed or adnate
Stipe is bare
Spore print is white
Ecology is mycorrhizal
Edibility is inedible

Description

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The cap is red-brown or chestnut-brown with a paler margin, very sticky when moist, and has a diameter of 4 to 8 cm (1.6 to 3.1 in).[1] The overall shape of the cap is bell-like when young, later flattening to a more irregular convex shape in maturity, and often developing a lobed appearance. The margins of the caps are usually turned inwards. The gills are crowded together, adnate or emarginate in attachment to the stipe, and white or a light ochraceous yellow with dark brown stains when old or bruised. The stipe is 4 to 10 cm (1.6 to 3.9 in) long by 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) thick, roughly spindle-shaped (fusiform), with red-brown fibrils and a sharply defined zone of white color at the stalk apex, especially in more mature specimens.[2] The flesh is white or cream, smelling strongly of meal, with a bitter taste.[3][4]

Spores have a roughly spherical or ellipsoid shape, are hyaline, smooth, non-amyloid, and have dimensions of 5.5—7.0 x 4.5—5.5 μm.[1] Basidia are 4-spored and cystidia are absent.[4]

Habitat and distribution

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This mycorrhizal species typically grows in small groups, and is often found near trees in the genera Quercus and Fagus.[1]

Although relatively rare, it has a widespread distribution in Europe, limited by the presence of its preferred tree hosts. Its first recorded appearance in Mexico was 1984.[5]

Edibility

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Despite its inedible status by some sources,[2][4] Tricholoma ustaloides is consumed by the inhabitants of Ajusco and Topilejo, communities near Mexico City.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Bas, Cornelis (1988). Flora agaricina Neerlandica: critical monographs on families of agarics and boleti occurring in the Netherlands. Rotterdam: A.A. Balkema. p. 127. ISBN 90-5410-492-9.
  2. ^ a b Arora, David (1986). Mushrooms demystified: a comprehensive guide to the fleshy fungi. Berkeley, Calif: Ten Speed Press. p. 185. ISBN 0-89815-169-4. Internet Archive
  3. ^ Gryzyby―Fungi of Poland
  4. ^ a b c Jordan, Michael (1995). The encyclopedia of fungi of Britain and Europe. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. p. 183. ISBN 0-7153-0129-2. Google Books
  5. ^ Aroche RM, Cifuentes J, Lorea F, Fuentes P, Bonavides J, Galicia H, Menendez E, Aguilar O, Valenzuela V. (1984). "Toxic and edible mushrooms in a community of the Valley of Mexico 1". Boletin de la Sociedad Mexicana de Micologia 19: 291—318.
  6. ^ Reygadas F, Zamora-Martinez M, Cifuentes J. (1995). "Knowledge on wild edible mushrooms in the Ajusco and Topilejo communities near Mexico City". Revista Mexicana de Micologia 11(0): 85—108.