Pluteus


Pluteus is a large genus of fungi with over 300 species. They are wood rotting saprobes with pink spore prints and gills that are free from the stem.
Pluteus means shed or penthouse.

Characteristics of the genusMeinhard Moser, translated by Simon Plant: ''Keys to Agarics and Boleti'' (Roger Phillips 1983) Courtecuisse, R. &; Duhem, B. (1994) "Guide des champignons de France et d'Europe" Delachaux et Niestlé , also available in English

  1. These fungi grow on wood or wood remains.
  2. The spore powder is deep pink, soon giving a pink tint to the initially pale gills.
  3. The gills are free from the stipe.
  4. There is no volva or ring.
  5. Microscopically, they often have abundant, distinctive cystidia. The spores are smooth and roughly egg-shaped.
Pluteus is separated from Volvariella due to the lack of a volva, and from Entoloma by growing on wood and by microscopic features.

Remarks on particular species

Some of these mushrooms are edible including P. petasatus and P. cervinus, though most people rate their taste and consistency as average at best.
Pluteus cervinus is the best known species in Europe and North America.
Several species of this genus bruise blue and contain psilocybin including Pluteus brunneidiscus, Pluteus salicinus, Pluteus cyanopus, Pluteus glaucus, Pluteus nigroviridis, Pluteus phaeocyanopus and Pluteus villosus.