#40 Chlorophyllum hortense

A wide variety of 'white toadstools' pop up in lawns, paddocks and roadside verges, and they can be difficult to confidently identify. I am reasonably sure I have this one correctly identified, but if any reader disagrees, please let me know.

Chlorophyllum hortense is from the family Agaricaceae. It is a big, fleshy fungus and occurs commonly in man-made habitats - in compost-enriched garden soil and lawns, and grazing pastures. It has a wide tropical and sub-tropical distribution, and in Australia is found in the eastern states, except for cold regions. It is also found in North and South America, Africa, Japan, India and parts of Asia.

Chlorophyllum hortense

Cap is 5 to 10cms wide, white to cream, tightly convex at first, widening to broadly convex. It has a distinct yellowish to brownish umbo (central bump on top of cap), and is strongly striated (grooved) on margins. Yellowish to brownish dry scales are present on the cap.

The stem is 3 to 7cm tall, perhaps even to 10cms, and has a movable annulus (fleshy ring). It is hollow, with a swollen base. Flesh is white and thin, and rapidly reddens when cut or bruised - this is an identifying feature of Chlorophyllum hortense. It has a mushroomy smell, white gills, and white spores.

The fungi pictured here were fruiting in my lawn a few summers ago. They formed a 'fairy ring' (diameter 3mts) of 52 fungi. Six weeks later, 64 Chlorophyllum hortense appeared in the same area in my lawn, all having moved a further 30cm out, forming a larger fairy ring. I have since moved from my rural home into town, so have not had the opportunity to make further detailed observations.

New fruiting bodies of Chlorophyllum hortense,
with one cut to display red bruising when flesh is cut.
Also, notice the hollow stem.

Series of 3 images of a group of Chlorophyllum hortense:

27 January 2005 - notice the prominent scales

24 hours later - the caps broaden. Notice the striations around the rim of the cap. Notice also, the droplet of water on the left-hand fungus has colour leeched from the cap colour.

30 hrs later, the fungi fruit bodies are dry and collapsing

A splitting cap of Chlorophyllum hortense -
Notice the dry movable ring on stem.

Distinct umbo on cap

There is some confusion regarding the nomenclature of Chlorophyllum hortense. In Australia it has gone under the name of Leucoagaricus fimetarius at some time. In North America and Hawaii it is known as Leucoagaricus hortensis or Lepiota humei. In Africa it is known as Leucoagaricus bisporus. And in Japan it is called Macrolepiota alborubescens.

Toxicity: There are differing opinions on the toxicity of Chlorophyllum hortense, so consuming it should definitely be avoided. In Brazil, at least two young children have died after consuming Chlorophyllum hortense, and several people have become ill. But studies have shown that levels of toxicity are affected by environmental conditions, thus the opposing opinions.

My sightings of Chlorophyllum hortense:

[This will be updated with new sightings]

Singleton, NSW - rural, lawn, Jan 05, Feb 05