Hebeloma crustuliniforme - Poisonpie

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Agaricales

The most infamous of these toxic toadstools, which occasionally forms fairy rings in broadleaf or coniferous woodland, goes by the name of Poison Pie. As for its culinary value, enough said! Whoever thought ‘pie’ was a good name may have mistaken ‘nasty’ for ‘tasty’.

In the past, although this woodland fungus was known to be seriously toxic, its was commonly referred to as the Fairy Cake Mushroom – now how irresponsible is that?

Identification guide

Cap	Pale buff to ochre, slightly darker in centre; convex, becoming broadly umbonate; slightly greasy when wet; margin often wavy, sometimes lobed; 4 to 11cm across.
Gills	White turning clay-brown with white edges; when damp exuding watery droplets that dry as brown spots; adnate; crowded.
Stem	White or very pale yellow; mealy towards the apex; cylindrical; 4 to 8cm long, 1 to 2cm dia.
Spore print	Brown.
Odour/taste	Strong odour of radish; bitter taste.
Habitat	Under broadleaf and coniferous trees.
Season	July to November.
Occurrence	Very Common.