Infundibulicybe gibba

Naming

This species was originally described by the mycologist Christiaan Hendrik Persoon in 1801 as ''Agaricus gibbus'', at a time when gilled mushrooms were generally all assigned to genus ''Agaricus''. Then in 1871 in his guide to mycology , Paul Kummer allocated the species to the genus ''Clitocybe'', which previously had only been a tribe within genus ''Agaricus''.

In 2003 Harri Harmaja created the new genus ''Infundibulicybe'' for some of the larger members of the former ''Clitocybe'' and he included ''Infundibulicybe gibba'' as the type species. A couple of authorities still keep it in genus ''Clitocybe'', however.

The older name ''Clitocybe infundibuliformis'' is often identified as a synonym of ''I. gibba'', but according to Species Fungorum that use was incorrect and the original ''C. infundibuliformis'' was a different mushroom.

The epithet ''gibba'' comes from the Latin adjective "gibbus", meaning "humped" or "gibbous". The name ''infundibuliformis'' derives from the Latin "infundibulum", a funnel, with the suffix "-formis" - so it means "funnel-shaped".

Distribution

This gregarious saprobic mushroom grows on soil in deciduous or coniferous woods and may be found from summer to autumn. It sometimes forms fairy rings.

It is very common throughout Europe, and occurs in North America and Japan.

It is edible when young, but said to be of mediocre quality. It can be fried or used in risottos or soups etc. The stems are tough and may be discarded.

An extract of I. gibba exhibits inhibitory activity on thrombin.

Habitat

This gregarious saprobic mushroom grows on soil in deciduous or coniferous woods and may be found from summer to autumn. It sometimes forms fairy rings.

It is very common throughout Europe, and occurs in North America and Japan.

It is edible when young, but said to be of mediocre quality. It can be fried or used in risottos or soups etc. The stems are tough and may be discarded.

An extract of I. gibba exhibits inhibitory activity on thrombin.