Agaricus arorae is a moderate-sized, forest-dwelling mushroom that exhibits distinctive color changes. It fruits early in the mushroom season. Unusually within the genus Agaricus, the mushroom's cap cuticle turns yellow when exposed to a base such as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide but stains red when cut.[1] In the field, it has a brownish, fibrillose/squamulose cap, which turns red when bruised. Agaricus arorae was first described from Santa Cruz County but since has been found in San Mateo and Alameda counties.[2][3][4] Agaricus arorae can be distinguished by its scales and a conspicuous stipe.[5]
| Agaricus arorae | |
|---|---|
| |
| A pair of Agaricus arorae | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Agaricaceae |
| Genus: | Agaricus |
| Species: | A. arorae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Agaricus arorae Kerrigan
| |
Agaricus arorae was named after American mycologist and author David Arora.
Description edit
Pileus edit
The cap is 3–8 cm broad, and varies from hemispheric to convex. The margin starts curved, but then decurved. The cuticle slowly bruises a reddish colour, and yellows with KOH. With a dry surface, the cap's disc can be glabrous or tomentose. Toward the margin, either minute fibers or scales develop. The cap's fibrils are generally a brownish colour. The cap has an indistinct odor with a mild taste. The context can be as large as 5 mm thick, soft, and bruises irregularly a vinaceous colour where cut.[6]
Lamellae edit
The gills are free, close, and broad. At first, they are buff-brown, but turn a darker brown in age.
Stipe edit
The stipe is 4–9 cm long and 0.5-2.5 cm thick. At the base, it is slightly enlarged and becomes stuffed at maturity. The white veil is rather membranous and yields a thin ring. When cut, the cortex discolours to pinkish-orange. The stipe base changes brown to rusty-brown from handling. The margin is sometimes light brown. The apex surface is white, and patchy fibrillose over a dull-buff ground color.[7]
Spores edit
Spores are 4.5-5.0 x 3.0-3.5 μm, elliptical, and inequilateral in profile. In addition, they are moderately thick-walled, lacking a germ pore.[8]
Agaricus arorae | |
|---|---|
 | Gills on hymenium |
 | Cap is convex or flat |
 | Hymenium is free |
 | Stipe has a ring |
 | Spore print is brown |
 | Ecology is saprotrophic |
 | Edibility is unknown |
See also edit
References edit
- Arora, David (1986). Mushrooms Demystified (2 ed.). Ten Speed Press.
Agaricus arorae.
- Kerrigan R (1985). "Studies in Agaricus III: New Species from California". Mycotaxon. 22: 419–434.
- Specific
- ^ Arora, p. 313, p. 326
- ^ Kerrigan, Richard W. (1985)
- ^ Arora, p. 311
- ^ Studies in Agaricus III. New species from California. Mycotaxon 12: 419-434.
- ^ Kerrigan, Richard W. (1986). The Agaricales (Gilled Fungi) of California. 6. Agaricaceae. Mad River Press: Eureka, CA. 62 p.
- ^ Wood, Michael; Fred Stevens (1998). "Bovista aestivalis". Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- ^ Arora, p. 325-326
- ^ Arora, p. 320