Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Agaricaceae
Genus: Lepiota
Species: L. cristata
Binomial name: Lepiota cristata
Synonyms: Agaricus cristatus, Lepiota cristata var. exannulata, Lepiota cristata var. felinoides, Lepiota cristata var. pallidior.
Common names: Stinking dapperling, Stinking parasol,
Lepiota cristata is an agaric and possibly poisonous mushroom in the family Agaricaceae. It is a common and one of the most widespread fungi in the genus Lepiota. It is saprobic, growing scattered or gregariously on decaying wood or cellulosic material in forests, open areas, lawns, pasture and even compost heaps. The species produces fruit bodies that are a few cms to 10 cm in diameter. They are convex or obtusely conic at first, becoming broadly bell-shaped or nearly flat in age. The caps are characterised by the flat, reddish-brown rings of scales and an unpleasant odour resembling burnt rubber. The caps centre typically remaining bald and is a dark colour.
The gills are free from the stem and are white to buff in colour. The spore print white
The stems can be up to 7 cm long and 2-3 mm wide and there can be a fragile, white ring that easily disappears.
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