Omphalotus Fayod
Fruitbodies clustered on roots of deciduous trees. Cap depressed to funnel-shaped, usually orange coloured. Gills strongly decurrent, forking. The representatives of this genus are best known for their bioluminiscent properties, i. e. their ability to glow in the dark, which is due to the oxidation of a compound, called luciferin.Two species are so far known in Europe.
Omphalotus illudens (Schwein.) Bresinsky & Besl
Description
Yet unknown to the author. Cap up to 12 cm, applanate then depressed, orange brown, orange to orange yellow. Gills orange, strongly deccurrent (running down the stipe). Smell strong farinaceous rancid. Taste not distinctive. Spores 5–7 × 4–6 μm.
Habitat. Tufted on stumps of deciduous trees.
Distribution. More northern species.
Photographs
I am not yet hosting any photographs of this species, but there are some on the internet. Please visit the link below.
Omphalotus illudens on Mushroom Expert
Important literature
Courtecuisse, R. & Duhem, B. 1995. Mushrooms and toadstools of Britain and Europe. Harper Collins Publishers, London.
Kirchmair, M., Morandell, S., Stolz, D. & Pöder, R. 2004. Phylogeny of the genus Omphalotus based on nuclear ribosomal DNA-sequences. – Mycologia 96: 1253–1260. (available online)
Kirchmair, M. & Pöder, R. 2002. Why Omphalotus illudens (Schwein.) Bresinsky & Besl is an independent species. – Revista Catalana de Micologia 24: 215–223. (available online)
Knudsen, H. & Vesterholt, J. [eds.]. 2008. Funga Nordica. Nordsvamp, Kopenhagen.