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.

For the larval stage of echinoderms, see Pluteus larva. For the architectural feature, see Pluteus (sculpture).

Pluteus
Pluteus cervinus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Pluteaceae
Genus:	Pluteus Fr.
Type species
Pluteus cervinus (Schaeff.) P.Kumm.
Species
Pluteus brunneidiscus Pluteus cervinus Pluteus cyanopus Pluteus glaucus Pluteus leoninus Pluteus nevadensis Pluteus nigroviridis Pluteus readiarum Pluteus salicinus Pluteus villosus

Pluteus
float Mycological characteristics
	gills on hymenium
	cap is flat or convex
	hymenium is free
	stipe is bare
	spore print is pink
	ecology is saprotrophic
	edibility: edible or psychoactive

Pluteus means shed or penthouse.[1]

Characteristics of the genus[2][3]

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 (exception: the rare recently reclassified North American species P. mammillatus, previously Chamaeota sphaerospora).[4]
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 (Entolomas have angular spores).

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[5] including Pluteus brunneidiscus,[6] Pluteus salicinus, Pluteus cyanopus, Pluteus glaucus, Pluteus nigroviridis, Pluteus phaeocyanopus and Pluteus villosus.[7]

See also

• List of Pluteus species

References

1. The mushroom hunter's field guide By Alexander Hanchett Smith, Nancy S. Weber
2. Meinhard Moser, translated by Simon Plant: Keys to Agarics and Boleti (Roger Phillips 1983) ISBN 0-9508486-0-3
3. Courtecuisse, R. & Duhem, B. (1994) "Guide des champignons de France et d'Europe" Delachaux et Niestlé ISBN 2-603-00953-2, also available in English
4. A. M. Minnis, W. J. Sundberg et al., Annulate Pluteus species, a study of the genus Chamaeota in the United States", MYCOTAXON Vol. 96 pp. 31-39, April-June 2006
5. G. Guzmán, J. W. Allen & J. Gartz, "A Worldwide Geographical Distribution of the Neurotropic Fungi, an Analysis and Discussion"
6. Justo, A. & M.L. Castro. (2007). "Observations in Pluteus section Pluteus in Spain: Two new records for Europe". Mycotaxon 102: 209–220.
7. Fungifama site

Further reading

• M. Kuo "The Genus Pluteus"
• Gastón Guzmán , John W. Allen , Jochen Gartz (1998). "A worldwide geographical distribution of the neurotropic fungi, an analysis and discussion" (pdf). Annali del Museo civico di Rovereto (14): 189–280.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) (on Fondazione Museo Civico di Rovereto)