Omphalotus illudens

Omphalotus illudens
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Omphalotaceae
Genus: Omphalotus
Species:
O. illudens
Binomial name
Omphalotus illudens
(Schwein.) Bresinsky & Besl
Omphalotus illudens
View the Mycomorphbox template that generates the following list
Gills on hymenium
Cap is infundibuliform
Hymenium is decurrent
Stipe is bare
Spore print is yellow
Ecology is saprotrophic
Edibility is poisonous

Omphalotus illudens, commonly known as the eastern jack-o'lantern mushroom, is a large, orange mushroom that is often found in clumps on decaying stumps, buried roots, or at the base of hardwood trees in eastern North America. Its gills often exhibit a weak green bioluminescence when fresh. This green glow has been mentioned in several journal articles, which state that the phenomenon can persist up to 40–50 hours after the mushroom has been picked.[1][verification needed] It is believed that this display serves to attract insects to the mushroom's gills during nighttime, which can then distribute its spores across a wider area.[2]

Omphalotus illudens is sometimes confused with edible chanterelles, but can be distinguished by its thicker, fleshier appearance, tendency to form large clusters, and clearly separated caps when young. Unlike chanterelles, the Eastern jack-o'-lantern is poisonous to humans when eaten, whether raw or cooked, and typically causes vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea. Although some older literature claims the name is synonymous with Omphalotus olearius, phylogenetic analysis confirms the two as distinct species.[3]

  1. ^ Vanden Hoek, Todd, L.; Erickson, Timothy; Hryborczuk, Daniel; Narasimhan, Kris (May 1991). "Jack O'Lantern Mushroom Poisoning". Annals of Emergency Medicine. 20 (5): 559–561. doi:10.1016/S0196-0644(05)81617-8. PMID 2024797.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Oliveira, Anderson, G.; Stevani, Cassius, V.; Waldenmeier, Hans, E.; Viviani, Vadim; Emerson, Jillian, M.; Loros, Jennifer, J.; Dunlap, Jay, C. (March 2015). "Circadian Control Sheds Light on Fungal Bioluminescence". Current Biology. 25 (7): 964–8. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2015.02.021. PMC 4382382. PMID 25802150.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kirchmair2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).