Clitocybe amoenolens

Clitocybe amoenolens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Subclass:	Hymenomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Tricholomataceae
Genus:	Clitocybe
Species:	C. amoenolens
Binomial name
Clitocybe amoenolens Malençon

Clitocybe amoenolens
Mycological characteristics
	gills on hymenium
	cap is depressed
	stipe is bare
	spore print is white
	ecology is saprotrophic
	edibility: poisonous

Clitocybe amoenolens, commonly known as the paralysis funnel,^[1] is an agaric fungus of the large genus Clitocybe. It was originally described from Morocco in 1975 by the French mycologist Malençon. It was discovered to be poisonous after several people had consumed specimens all found in the alpine Maurienne valley in the Savoie department over three years. They had mistaken it for the edible common funnel cap (C. gibba) or Lepista inversa.^[2]

A similar species from Japan, C. acromelalga, known as the poison dwarf bamboo mushroom, had been discovered to be poisonous in 1918.^[3]

The resulting syndrome of fungus-induced erythromelalgia lasted from 8 days to 5 months, although one person exhibited symptoms for three years.^[4]

References

1. Evans S, Kibby G. (2004). Pocket Nature: Fungi. Dorling Kindersley ISBN 0-7513-3696-3
2. Saviuc PF, Danel VC, Moreau PA, Guez DR, Claustre AM, Carpentier PH, Mallaret MP, Ducluzeau R (2001). "Erythromelalgia and mushroom poisoning". J. Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 39 (4): 403–07. doi:10.1081/CLT-100105162.
3. Ichimura, J (1918). "A new poisonous mushroom". Bot Gaz (Tokyo). 65: 10911.
4. Diaz, James H. (February 2005). "Syndromic diagnosis and management of confirmed mushroom poisonings". Critical Care Medicine. 33 (2): 427–36. doi:10.1097/01.CCM.0000153531.69448.49. PMID 15699849.