Phaeolepiota
Family of fungi
title: "Phaeolepiota" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["monotypic-basidiomycota-genera", "fungi-of-north-america", "fungi-of-europe", "fungi-of-asia"] description: "Family of fungi" topic_path: "general/monotypic-basidiomycota-genera" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaeolepiota" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Family of fungi ::
| image = Phaeolepiota aurea 10866-83fabfaacdf92ca2ba5a395f175754a4.jpg | image_caption = Phaeolepiota aurea | taxon = Phaeolepiota aurea | parent_authority = Maire ex Konrad & Maubl. (1928) | authority = (Matt.) Maire (1928) | synonyms = Cystoderma aureum
| name = Phaeolepiota aurea | whichGills = free | capShape = flat | capShape2 = convex | hymeniumType=gills | stipeCharacter=ring | ecologicalType=mycorrhizal | sporePrintColor=reddish-brown | howEdible=caution
Phaeolepiota is a genus of fungi in the family Squamanitaceae. The genus is monotypic, containing the single species Phaeolepiota aurea. Commonly known as Alaskan gold, Alaska gold, golden bootleg or golden cap, P. aurea is an agaric (gilled mushroom) found throughout North America and Eurasia – often in groups and next to nettles.
Taxonomy
Recent molecular phylogenetics research shows that Phaeolepiota is closely related to and may need to be merged into the genus Cystoderma.
Description
The mushroom is large and golden, and its stem has a skirt-like ring. The cap is up to 20 cm wide and the stem up to 20 cm long. It has a mild smell. The spores are brown, producing a tannish spore print.
Similar species
It can resemble Cystoderma fallax, C. granosum, Gymnopilus spectabilis, and Agrocybe praecox.
Distribution and habitat
It is found throughout North America and Eurasia – often in groups and next to nettles.
Edibility
The fruit bodies have been considered edible and are eaten in Russia and China. It is not, however, recommended for consumption as it is known to cause gastrointestinal upset. Studies have shown that this fungus contains unacceptable amounts of both cadmium and cyanide compounds. Cooking reduces the concentration of the cyanide compounds present, which may be the reason why it has been consumed in some countries.
References
References
- Arora, David (February 1, 1991). ''All that the Rain Promises and More: A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms''. p. 139. {{ISBN. 9780898153880.
- Siegel, Noah; Schwarz, Christian (September 1, 2024). ''Mushrooms of Cascadia: A Comprehensive Guide to Fungi of the Pacific Northwest''. Humboldt County, CA: Backcountry Press. p. 62. {{ISBN. 9781941624197.
- (2009). "Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest". Timber Press.
- [[Audubon]]. (2023). "Mushrooms of North America". [[Knopf]].
- Phillips R. (2005). "Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America". Firefly Books.
- (2006). "North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi". [[FalconGuide]].
- [http://www.mushroomthejournal.com/bestof/Paureatext.html Phaeolepiota aurea] ''mushroomthejournal.com'' {{webarchive. link. (2008-08-28)
- (2021). "Squamanitaceae and three new species of ''Squamanita'' parasitic on ''Amanita'' basidiomes". IMA Fungus.
- (2022). "A phylogenetic overview of ''Squamanita'', with descriptions of nine new species and four new combinations". Mycologia.
- Boa ER. (2004). "Wild Edible Fungi: A Global Overview Of Their Use And Importance To People (Non-Wood Forest Products)". Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN.
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