Lepiota Brebisson (Leucocoprinus brebissonii) photo and description

Lepiot Brebisson (Leucocoprinus brebissonii)

• Lepiota brebissonii
• Leucocoprinus otsuensis

Photo by: Michael Wood

Lepiota Brebissonii (Lepiota brebissonii) is a mushroom belonging to the genus Lepiota, which contains many varieties of deadly poisonous mushrooms. Some of the fungi from the genus Lepiot are little studied, or not studied at all. Lepiota Brebisson is one of them. The species is synonymous with the Latin name Lepiota brebissonii. Mushrooms of this genus growing on the territory of Our Country are also called silverfish by experienced mushroom pickers (and regardless of the variety).

External description of the fungus

Lepiota Brebisson (Lepiota brebissonii) in its immature form is characterized by a conical cap, having a diameter of 2-4 cm. As it matures, the cap becomes prostrate, has a well-developed brown-red tubercle at the top, in its central part. The surface of the fruiting body is covered with a white skin, on which there are rare scales of a brown hue. The plates under the hat are located freely, characterized by a whitish-cream color.

The pulp of this species is very thin, and its aroma is similar to the smell of tar. The taste of the pulp is sour.

The leg of Lepiota Brebisson has a cylindrical shape and a fawn hue, turning at the base into a purple-violet color. The leg ring is very fragile, and it itself has a diameter of 0.3-0.5 cm and a height of 2.5 to 5 cm. The spore powder of the fungus has a white tint, but it looks transparent.

Habitat and fruiting season

Mushrooms from the genus Lepiot can be found not only in wooded areas, but also in the steppes, in clearings, in park and forest plantations, and even in desert areas. But most often, the fruiting bodies of Lepiota grow in the middle of old fallen leaves, on dead wood or humus. Lepiota Brebisson is found only in moist deciduous forests, and its active fruiting period begins in autumn.

Edibility

Lepiota Brebissonii (Lepiota brebissonii) is an inedible mushroom due to its toxicity. It is strictly forbidden to eat it for people.

Similar species, distinctive features from them

Lepiota Brebisson looks very similar to the comb umbrella (comb lepiota). However, in comparison with it, Brebisson’s lepiota is somewhat smaller, and does not have reddish-brown spiky scales on its surface.

Experts in the field of mushroom growing and picking mushrooms advise novice mushroom pickers not to take small umbrellas, as they can be confused with poisonous lepiotes, such as Brebisson’s lepiot, since these varieties of mushrooms are so poisonous that they can provoke the development of a fatal outcome if the doctor is not contacted in time.