Panaeolus papilionaceus, commonly known as the bell-capped mottlegill or Petticoat mottlegill, is a very common and widely distributed small brown mushroom that feeds on dung.
This mushroom is the type species for the genus Panaeolus.
The cap is across, obtusely conic then becoming , and grayish brown. It is not hygrophanous and the margin is adorned with white toothlike partial veil fragments when young or towards the edge. The flesh is thin.
The gills are to , close to crowded, one or two tiers of intermediate gills, pale gray, acquiring a mottled, blackish appearance in age, with whitish edges. The spore print is black.
The stipe is 6âÂÂ12 cm by 2âÂÂ4 mm, gray-brown to reddish brown, darker where handled, paler toward the apex, brittle, fibrous, and .
The odor is mild and the taste unappetizing.
The spores are 12âÂÂ18 x 7âÂÂ10 üm, elliptical, smooth, with an apical pore.
Basidia 4-sterigmate; abruptly clavate. Cheilocystidia abundant; subcylindric, often subcapitate or capitate.
Panaeolus retirugis is similar but more robust, with a larger cap and thicker stem. Panaeolus pantropicalis has a more tropical distribution than Panaeolus papilionaceus and Panaeolus retirugis.
Occurring singly, gregariously, or caespitosely on cow/horse dung, moose droppings, and in pastures. Widely distributed in North America throughout the year, but only in warmer climates in winter. It can be found in countries including Canada (Alberta, British Columbia), the United States (Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington), the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, San Vincent Island), Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, France, The Netherlands, Greece, Mexico, Norway, Slovenia, South Africa, Uganda, China, Iran, Lithuania, Kuwait, and the Philippines.
Panaeolus papilionaceus is inedible and is not substantial. While similar-looking species, such as Psilocybe mexicana, contain psilocybin, P. papilionaceus does not.
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