Gymnopilus is a genus of gilled mushrooms within the fungal family
/ref> rusty-orange spored mushroom species.
Description
The
basidiocarp is typically reddish brown to rusty orange to yellow, medium to large, often with a well-developed
partial veil.
Similar genera
Members of
Pholiota and
Cortinarius are easy to confuse with
Gymnopilus.
Pholiota can be distinguished by its viscid cap and duller (brown to cinnamon brown)
basidiospore, and
Cortinarius grows on the ground. Beginners can confuse
Gymnopilus with
Galerina, which contains deadly poisonous species.
Taxonomy
Gymnopilus was formerly divided among
Pholiota and the defunct genus
Flammula. The genus has over 200 species worldwide.
Psychoactive species
Fourteen members of
Gymnopilus contain
psilocybin,
although their bitter taste often deters recreational users. These species include
G. aeruginosus,
G. braendlei,
G. cyanopalmicola,
[ G. dilepis,][ G. subearlei,][ G. subpurpuratus,][ G. validipes and G. viridans.]
Several species of Gymnopilus contain bis-noryangonin 4-hydroxy-6-(4-hydrostyryl)-2-pyrone and hispidine 4-hydroxy-6-(3,4-dihydroxystyryl)-2-pyrone, which are closely related to the alpha-pyrones found in kava.
Phylogeny
A 2003 phylogenetic study identified five well-supported clades within Gymnopilus:
-
the spectabilis-imperialis group
-
nevadensis-penetrans group
-
a clade formed by G. underwoodii, G. validipes and G. cf. flavidellus
-
aeruginosus-luteofolius group
-
lepidotus-subearlei group
Although the genus Gymnopilus was found to be monophyletic, the phylogenetically related groups do not support the traditional infrageneric classifications based on morphology.
Etymology
The name means naked pileus.
Habitat
Most members of Gymnopilus grow on wood but at times may appear terrestrial if the wood is buried or decomposed.
-
C.J. Alexopolous, Charles W. Mims, M. Blackwell et al., Introductory Mycology, 4th ed. (John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken NJ, 2004)
-
Hesler, L. R. (1969). North American species of Gymnopilus. New York: Hafner. 117 pp.
