Emma Wilson
Yellow Fieldcap mushrooms, scientifically known as Bolbitius titubans, are a very rare variety of mushrooms. They are small, bright yellow, and commonly found in North America and the UK. They grow on well-manured fields, rotting hay, and dung. But are these mushrooms psychedelic?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bolbitius titubans |
| English Name | Yellow Fieldcap |
| Polish Name | Gnojanka zoltawa |
| Common Name | Sunny side up |
| Cap Colour | Yellow, bright yellow, whitish, greyish, pale brown, cinnamon |
| Cap Shape | Rounded, elliptical, ball-like, convex, flat |
| Stem Colour | Whanish-yellow |
| Stem Width | 2-6 millimetres |
| Gill Colour | White, pale yellow, rusty cinnamon, dark brown |
| Spore Colour | Brown |
| Spore Shape | Elliptical |
| Lifespan | Less than 24 hours |
| Edibility | Inedible |
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What You'll Learn
Yellow Fieldcap mushrooms are inedible
Yellow Fieldcap mushrooms, scientifically known as Bolbitius titubans, are considered inedible. This species of mushroom is quite distinctive, with a bright yellow cap when young, which fades to a pale brown or whitish/greyish colour as it matures. It is commonly found in North America and is known to grow on grass, rotting straw, dung, and wood chippings.
The Yellow Fieldcap mushroom is one of the shortest-living mushrooms, with a lifespan of only about 24 hours. They are usually found a couple of days after it rains and are known to grow rapidly. The mushrooms start out as bright yellow, oval-shaped fruiting bodies and quickly grow and change colour, eventually turning into beige parasols before decomposing.
Due to their small size and thin flesh, there is little temptation to consume these mushrooms. They are also known as "Egg Yolk Fungus" due to their colour and shape, and some people find them interesting because of their rapid life cycle and unique appearance. However, their inedibility does not detract from their beauty and distinctiveness.
While they may not be suitable for consumption, Yellow Fieldcap mushrooms are fascinating in their own right. They are a common sight on farmland, especially in well-manured fields, and their rapid life cycle and vibrant colour make them a captivating find for those exploring nature. Their preference for certain conditions, such as well-rotted dung over fresh cow pats, also adds to their intriguing characteristics.
In conclusion, Yellow Fieldcap mushrooms are considered inedible, but they play a unique role in the ecosystem and offer an interesting sight for those who appreciate the beauty and diversity of the natural world, including the vast array of mushroom species.
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They are also called Bolbitius vitellinus
The Yellow Fieldcap mushroom, or *Bolbitius titubans*, is also known as *Bolbitius vitellinus*. This colourful little mushroom is found in grassland and roadside verges, and occasionally on damp woodchip mulch. It is common and widespread in most parts of Britain and Ireland, and is also found throughout mainland Europe and in many other parts of the world, including North America.
The name *Bolbitius* means 'of cow dung', though the Yellow Fieldcap prefers well-rotted dung and tends to avoid fresh cow pats. The specific epithet *titubans* means staggering or wavering, and these mushrooms do indeed tend to lean and eventually fall in what could be construed as a slow-motion stagger.
The mushroom was first described in 1789 by French mycologist Jean Baptiste Francois Pierre Bulliard, who gave it the scientific name *Agaricus titubans*. In 1838, it was renamed *Bolbitius titubans* by Swedish mycologist Elias Magnus Fries. At this time, most gilled fungi were placed in the Agaricus genus, but they have since been redistributed to other genera.
The Yellow Fieldcap is one of the shortest-lived mushrooms, lasting a maximum of 24 hours and usually appearing two days after rain. When young, it has a yellow, egg-shaped cap, sometimes giving it the name Egg Yolk Fungus. As the mushroom matures, the cap becomes pale brown and the gills become cinnamon-coloured. The cap is 1.5–7 centimetres across, and the stem is 2–6 millimetres wide. The spores are brown, elliptical, and smooth.
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They have a very short lifespan
Yellow Fieldcap mushrooms (Bolbitius titubans) are known for their short lifespans. They are small mushrooms with a bright yellow cap that fades to grey or brown before they die in a matter of hours. The entire lifespan of these mushrooms, from the time they emerge from the ground to their decomposition, can take less than 24 hours.
The rapid fruiting cycle of Yellow Fieldcap mushrooms is one of their distinctive characteristics. They often appear after rainfall, starting out as bright yellow, oval-shaped fruiting bodies that are noticeably wet. As they mature, their caps flatten out and their colour fades to whitish, grey, or brownish hues. This colour change occurs within a few hours, and the mushrooms can completely decompose in less than a day.
The short lifespan of Yellow Fieldcap mushrooms makes them quite fascinating to observe. They undergo a rapid transformation from bright yellow "buds" to gangly beige parasols, eventually ending up as flat caps with yellowish centres and striations along the margin. This entire process happens quickly, often surprising those who encounter these mushrooms in their natural habitat.
The short lifespan of Yellow Fieldcaps is also related to their preferred habitat. They are commonly found on well-manured fields, rotting straw, dung, and grass. The rapid fruiting cycle allows them to take advantage of the nutrients in these environments before quickly decomposing and returning their nutrients to the soil.
While their short lifespan might make them less noticeable than longer-lasting mushrooms, Yellow Fieldcaps are still quite widespread and common. They are often found in urban grass, pastures, and agricultural areas, especially during late spring and summer. Their distinctive colour and rapid life cycle make them unique and interesting members of the fungal kingdom.
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They grow on well-manured fields
The Yellow Fieldcap mushroom, or Bolbitius titubans, is not known to be a psychedelic mushroom. It is generally regarded as inedible, and its small size and thin flesh mean that there is little temptation to eat this mushroom.
Yellow Fieldcaps grow on well-manured fields, specifically on very well-fertilised soil, rotting straw, dung, and grass. The genus name, Bolbitius, means 'of cow dung', though it is worth noting that the Yellow Fieldcap prefers well-rotted dung and tends to avoid fresh cow pats.
If you are looking to grow psychedelic mushrooms, you will need to select a different strain. One of the seven main steps to the process of growing mushrooms is strain selection. The strain is similar to a plant breed, and different strains will have different genetic makeups.
For example, the Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata strain is a psychedelic mushroom that grows in the Ohio River Valley. It is commonly foraged in the Pacific Northwest, in places like California, Oregon, and Washington, where it grows in landscaped areas and gardens. Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata is also known as "ovoids" due to their larger size and thicker stems compared to similar species. These mushrooms are part of the Psilocybe genus, which also includes P. cyanescens and P. allenii. These species are all known for containing the hallucinogenic compound psilocybin and are commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms".
To grow psychedelic mushrooms, you will need to follow the seven stages of cultivation: strain selection, substrate preparation, inoculation, incubation, initiation, fruiting, and harvest. The substrate, or growing medium, can be composed of materials such as straw, wood pellets, pasteurized manure, or coffee grounds. It is critical to sterilize the substrate before inoculation to prevent the growth of bacteria and molds that can inhibit mushroom growth.
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Yellow Fieldcaps are widespread in North America
Yellow Fieldcaps, scientifically known as Bolbitius titubans, are indeed widespread in North America. They are commonly found in grassy areas and on dung, as well as on rich, well-fertilized soil. These mushrooms have a preference for well-rotted dung over fresh cow pats. They can be found in both urban and rural settings, from New York to California, and are not limited to North America, as they also grow in Europe.
The Yellow Fieldcap mushroom is easily recognizable due to its distinctive characteristics. When young, it resembles a small, bright yellow egg, with a cap that is 1.5 to 7 centimetres across. As it matures, the cap loses its bright yellow colour, fading to white, grey, or beige, and retains an indented yellow centre. The stem is whitish-yellow, hollow, and very delicate, with a fine mealy powdering. The gills are soft, fragile, and white or pale yellow, eventually turning a rusty cinnamon colour with age.
Yellow Fieldcaps are considered ephemeral, short-lived mushrooms, typically lasting only 1-2 days. They usually appear two days after rain and can be found growing from late spring to early autumn. Their small size, thin flesh, and lack of flavour make them unappealing for foraging, despite being edible. Additionally, their tendency to grow on dung and the fragility that makes them ill-suited for washing further reduce their appeal for foragers.
While Yellow Fieldcaps are not typically foraged, it is important to note that they should not be consumed raw. They contain small amounts of hydrazine, a toxic chemical compound. However, the hydrazine is destroyed through cooking, making cooked Yellow Fieldcaps safe to eat.
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