| Asterophora lycoperdoides | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Lyophyllaceae |
| Genus: | Asterophora |
| Species: | A. lycoperdoides
|
| Binomial name | |
| Asterophora lycoperdoides | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Species synonymy
| |
Asterophora lycoperdoides | |
|---|---|
 | Gills on hymenium |
 | Cap is convex |
 | Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable |
 | Stipe is bare |
 | Spore print is white |
 | Ecology is parasitic |
 | Edibility is inedible |
Asterophora lycoperdoides, commonly known as the star bearer, or powdery piggyback mushroom,[2] is a species of fungus in the Lyophyllaceae family. It grows as a parasite on other mushrooms, mainly those in the genus Russula. Its gills are poorly formed or nearly absent. Asexual spores are produced on the mushrooms cap which enable the organism to clone itself easily. The spores are star-shaped, hence the name star bearer. It is regarded as nonpoisonous but inedible.[3][4]
Asterophora parasitica is similar but has more conic caps.[5]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
urlMycoBank: Asterophora lycoperdoideswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Asterophora lycoperdoides, Powdery Piggyback mushroom". first-nature.com. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
- ^ Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p. 134. ISBN 978-0-7627-3109-1.
- ^ Phillips, Roger (2010) [2005]. Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. pp. 92–93. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
- ^ Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. pp. 305–306. ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.