John Miller
Blue mushrooms do exist and are found in various locations around the world. The Lactarius indigo, commonly known as the indigo milk cap, is a species of agaric fungus with a cap diameter of 4–15 cm and a stem height of 2–8 cm. It is found in eastern North America, East Asia, and Central America, and sometimes in southern France. Another variety of blue mushroom is the Entoloma hochstetteri, also known as the blue pinkgill, which is native to New Zealand. This mushroom has a cap diameter of up to 4 cm and is conical in shape, with a gill attachment that is adnexed or emarginate. The Māori name for this variety is werewere-kōkako, as its colour is similar to the blue wattle of the kōkako bird.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Indigo Milk Cap, Indigo Milky, Indigo Lactarius, Blue Lactarius, Blue Milk Mushroom, Blue Pinkgill, Sky-Blue Mushroom |
| Scientific Name | Lactarius indigo, Entoloma hochstetteri, Psilocybe cubensis |
| Colour | Indigo Blue, Silver-Blue, Grayish Blue, Pale Blue-Gray |
| Cap Diameter | 4-15 cm |
| Stem Height | 2-8 cm |
| Texture | Sticky or Slimy When Young, Dries Out with Age |
| Taste | Mild to Slightly Acrid, Slightly Bitter or Peppery |
| Edibility | Edible, Superior Edible, Second-Class Species for Consumption |
| Distribution | Eastern and Southwestern North America, East Asia, Central America, Southern France, New Zealand, India, Australia |
| Habitat | Deciduous and Coniferous Forests, Soil Among Litter in Broadleaf/Podocarp Forest, Temperate Rainforests |
| Spore Colour | Yellowish-Cream, Reddish-Pink |
| Active Compounds | Azulene Pigments, PsiL Protein, PsiP Phosphatase |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Lactarius indigo, commonly known as the indigo milk cap, is edible and found in eastern North America, East Asia, and Central America
- Entoloma hochstetteri, also known as the blue pinkgill, is native to New Zealand
- The smaller indigo milk cap (L. indigo var. diminutivus) is often seen in Virginia
- The werewere-kōkako, a treasured species in New Zealand, is a bright blue mushroom
- Injury-triggered blueing reactions have been observed in Psilocybe magic mushrooms
Lactarius indigo, commonly known as the indigo milk cap, is edible and found in eastern North America, East Asia, and Central America
Lactarius indigo, commonly referred to as the indigo milk cap, is a species of agaric fungus in the family Russulaceae. It is native to eastern North America, East Asia, and Central America, and has also been found in southern France. The indigo milk cap is characterised by its indigo blue colour, which fades to a paler grayish or silvery blue as it matures. The milk or latex that oozes from the mushroom when its tissue is cut is also indigo blue but turns green when exposed to air.
The cap of the Lactarius indigo has a diameter of 4-15 cm and is initially convex, developing a central depression with age. The margin of the cap is rolled inwards when the mushroom is young but unrolls and elevates as it matures. The flesh of the mushroom is pallid to bluish in colour, turning greenish when exposed to air, and has a mild to slightly acrid taste. The gills of the mushroom are close together and range in colour from indigo blue to greenish. The stem is 2-8 cm tall and 1-2.5 cm thick, with a solid and firm interior that becomes hollow as the mushroom ages.
Lactarius indigo is a well-known edible species, although opinions vary on its desirability as food. Some consider it a "superior edible", while others rate it as "mediocre in quality". The mushroom has a slightly bitter or peppery taste and a coarse, grainy texture. It is best prepared by cutting it into thin slices, as the blue colour disappears when cooked, leaving a grayish mushroom. Lactarius indigo contains higher levels of saturated fatty acids, moisture, fat, protein, and dietary fibre than common button mushrooms.
The specific epithet "indigo" is derived from the Latin word meaning "indigo blue". The mushroom was first described in 1822 as Agaricus indigo by American mycologist Lewis David de Schweinitz. In 1838, it was transferred to the genus Lactarius by Swedish botanist Elias Magnus Fries. L. indigo is a widely distributed species, growing naturally on the ground in both deciduous and coniferous forests, where it forms mycorrhizal associations with a broad range of trees.
Mushroom Trip: Fast-Acting Methods for a Quick Comeup
You may want to see also
Entoloma hochstetteri, also known as the blue pinkgill, is native to New Zealand
Entoloma hochstetteri, also known as the blue pinkgill, sky-blue mushroom, or werewere-kōkako, is a species of mushroom native to New Zealand. The small mushroom is easily recognised by its distinctive all-blue colour, with a slight reddish tint to its gills from the spores. The blue colour of the fruit body is due to azulene pigments.
The species was first described as Cortinarius hochstetteri in 1866 by Austrian mycologist Erwin Reichardt and was given its current binomial in 1962 by Greta Stevenson. The species is named after the German-Austrian naturalist Ferdinand von Hochstetter. In 1976, Egon Horak combined E. hochstetteri with Entoloma aeruginosum from Japan and Entoloma virescens, first described in the Bonin Islands in Japan. However, in 1990, Tsuguo Hongo examined E. hochstetteri and E. aeruginosum and concluded that they were different taxa due to differences in spore size and pseudocystidia shape.
E. hochstetteri has a small, delicate, above-ground fruit body. The cap is typically up to 4 cm in diameter and conical in shape, with a blue colour and a green tint. The cap margin is rolled inwards, and the gills are thin and 3-5 mm wide, usually the same colour as the cap, sometimes with a yellow tint. The cylindrical stipe (stalk) is up to 5 cm long and 0.5 cm thick. The spore print is reddish-pink, and the spores are tetrahedric in shape, hyaline, smooth, and thin-walled.
E. hochstetteri is common in forests throughout New Zealand, growing on soil among leaf litter in broadleaf and podocarp forests. It fruits from January to July, and while it is not known to be poisonous, its toxicity is also unknown. The species is considered a key part of local culture and was featured on a set of New Zealand stamps in 2002 and on the fifty-dollar note, making it the only banknote in the world to feature a mushroom.
Mushrooms in Egg Rolls: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
The smaller indigo milk cap (L. indigo var. diminutivus) is often seen in Virginia
Blue mushrooms do exist, and one such variety is the indigo milk cap (Lactarius indigo). This species of agaric fungus in the family Russulaceae is characterised by its indigo blue colour, which fades to a paler grayish- or silvery-blue with greenish splotches as it matures. The Lactarius indigo is a widely distributed species, growing naturally in eastern North America, East Asia, and Central America, and it has also been reported in southern France.
The smaller indigo milk cap (L. indigo var. diminutivus) is a variety of the indigo milk cap mushroom, typically found in Virginia. It has a cap diameter of 0.3–1 cm (1⁄8–3⁄8 in) thick, which is smaller than the standard indigo milk cap, whose cap diameter ranges from 4 to 15 cm (2–6 in). The smaller indigo milk cap was first described by Hesler and Smith based on specimens found in Brazoria County, Texas. They described its habitat as being "along the sides of a muddy ditch under grasses and weeds, [with] loblolly pine nearby".
The indigo milk cap is a well-known edible species, although opinions vary on its desirability. American mycologist David Arora considers it a "superior edible", while a field guide on Kansas fungi rates it as "mediocre in quality". It may have a slightly bitter or peppery taste and a coarse, grainy texture. The firm flesh is best prepared by cutting the mushroom into thin slices. The blue colour disappears with cooking, and the mushroom turns grayish.
The Lactarius indigo is a mycorrhizal fungus, which means it establishes a mutualistic relationship with the roots of certain trees. The subterranean hyphae of the fungus grow a sheath of tissue around the rootlets of a broad range of tree species, forming ectomycorrhizae. This association is especially beneficial to the host tree, as the fungus produces enzymes that mineralise organic compounds and facilitate the transfer of nutrients.
Mushroom Skin: The Facts About Fungi Exterior
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The werewere-kōkako, a treasured species in New Zealand, is a bright blue mushroom
There are a variety of blue mushrooms around the world. One of the most notable is the werewere-kōkako, a treasured species native to New Zealand. This mushroom, also known as the blue pinkgill or sky-blue mushroom, is a small, distinctive all-blue colour with a slight reddish tint on its gills from the spores. Its Māori name, werewere-kōkako, translates to "blue wattle of the Kōkako", referring to the colour of the blue wattle on the endangered North Island kōkako bird. According to Māori legend, the kōkako bird got its blue wattles by rubbing its cheek against the mushroom.
The werewere-kōkako is scientifically known as Entoloma hochstetteri. It is common in forests throughout New Zealand, particularly in broadleaf and podocarp forests, where it grows on the soil among the litter. The mushroom fruits from January to July, and it is best spotted in the autumn, in damp areas like the West Coast or Rakiura/Stewart Island.
The werewere-kōkako is not just treasured for its cultural significance but also for its potential economic value. Scientists have been attempting to isolate the genes that give the mushroom its unique blue colour, as they believe it could be used to produce the world's first all-natural blue food dye. However, these attempts have not been successful so far.
The werewere-kōkako has also gained recent popularity online, with people fascinated by its neon blue colour. It has even adorned the New Zealand $50 bill, making New Zealand the only country with a mushroom on its currency. The recognition of the werewere-kōkako on the banknote reflects the growing significance of New Zealand's biodiversity to its identity and economy.
Mushrooms: Grass or Unique Kingdom?
You may want to see also
Injury-triggered blueing reactions have been observed in Psilocybe magic mushrooms
There are indeed blue mushrooms, and they are not just a figment of imagination or artistic licence. The Lactarius indigo, for instance, commonly known as the indigo milk cap, has a cap that is indigo blue when fresh, fading to a paler grayish or silvery-blue as it matures. The milk or latex that oozes when the mushroom tissue is cut is also indigo blue, turning green upon exposure to air. This mushroom is edible and can be found in eastern North America, East Asia, and Central America.
Another blue mushroom is the Entoloma hochstetteri, also known as the blue pinkgill or sky-blue mushroom, native to New Zealand. This mushroom has a distinctive all-blue colour, with the gills having a slight reddish tint from the spores. Its blue colour is due to azulene pigments.
While not entirely blue, the Psilocybe genus of mushrooms, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", exhibit a unique injury-triggered blueing reaction. When bruised or cut, the fruiting bodies of these mushrooms instantly develop a dark blue colour at the site of injury. This phenomenon is reflected in the names of certain Psilocybe species, such as P. cyanescens and P. azurescens.
The chemical basis for this blueing reaction in Psilocybe mushrooms has remained elusive, attracting the attention of natural product chemists for decades. However, recent studies have shed some light on the underlying mechanisms. When injured, the phosphatase PsiP and the laccase PsiL degrade psilocybin, leading to the initiation of blueing. This process involves the removal of the 4-O-phosphate group by PsiP to yield psilocin, while PsiL oxidizes its 4-hydroxy group. In situ 13C NMR spectroscopy revealed that oxidative coupling of psilocyl residues occurs primarily via C-5, resulting in the formation of blue products.
In summary, injury-triggered blueing reactions have indeed been observed in Psilocybe "magic" mushrooms, specifically in species such as P. cyanescens and P. azurescens. This reaction is due to the degradation of psilocybin by the enzymes PsiP and PsiL, resulting in the formation of blue products through oxidative coupling. While the chemical basis for this reaction has long been a mystery, recent advances have provided valuable insights into the complex world of mushroom chemistry.
Mushrooms: Nature's Organic Superfood
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are blue mushrooms. The Lactarius indigo, commonly known as the indigo milk cap, is a species of agaric fungus with a cap that ranges from dark blue in fresh specimens to pale blue-gray in older ones.
The indigo milk cap is widespread across eastern and southwestern North America, East Asia, and Central America. It grows on the ground in both deciduous and coniferous forests.
Yes, Entoloma hochstetteri, also known as the blue pinkgill, is a species of mushroom native to New Zealand. It has a distinctive all-blue colour, while the gills have a slight reddish tint from the spores.
