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False Parasol

Chlorophyllum molybdites (klor-oh-FY-lum moh-lib-DY-teez)

Family: Agaricaceae Native

This plant is located in forests or natural areas as well as landscape areas. They can be seen forming small or large groups or fairy rings in lawns or other grassy areas, but do not be taken in by their fairy appearance as these plants can be very harmful. Fruiting bodies may attain 12 in. in diameter and 6 in. in height. They are frequently mistaken in its immature stage for the meadow mushroom, which grows in a similar habitat. It is the only large mushroom with a green spore print. The cap is initially smooth and dry, breaking up into light brown patches or scales on a white background. The gills are white at first, becoming greenish-gray and not attached to the stalk but close. The stalk is smooth, white or a whitish-brown. The annulus is large, persistent, becoming double-edged, white on the top and brown beneath, moveable, but located near the top of the stalk. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Poisonous

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 22 attributes.

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Mushroom; Poisonous
Form & Appearance
Hairs present
No
Stem color
Brown/Copper; White
Stem detail
The stalk is smooth white or whitish-brown
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North Carolina, United States
Distribution
Throughout NC but more common in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain
Landscape Use
Garden tags
#poisonous mushrooms #poisonous #naturalizes #mushrooms #lawn planting #woodland
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Children
Poison severity
Medium
Poison parts
Fruits; Stems
Poison symptoms
Poisonous if ingested. Symptoms usually occur 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating and include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, weakness and sweating.
Toxic principle
Unknown
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
Medium severity poison; parts: Fruits; Stems

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.