iNaturalist Bioblitz (October 6, 2021) - Fungi

Lepiota cristata is one of the most widely distributed basidiomycetous fungi in the Northern Hemisphere. The fungus is found on humus-rich soil in many terrestrial habitats in both scattered and clustered distribution patterns that suggest them to be decomposers of lignin and cellulose materials. Toxin level analyses of Lepiota cristata show that the mushroom does not contain amatoxins or phallotoxins, however, consumption is not recommended. In another study, it was found that toxin extracts exhibit toxicity against Sitophilus zeamais, a major pest of maize, making it an effective pesticide.

Posted on October 14, 2021 06:53 PM by carol_zhou