Emma Wilson
Tricholoma pardinum, commonly known as dirty trich, is a species of gilled mushroom. It is widely distributed across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. It is commonly associated with conifers in the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest and can be abundant in some years, especially in warmer years with higher rainfall. Dirty trich is considered one of the more toxic members of the Tricholoma genus and has been implicated in several mushroom poisoning cases. Ingesting it, even in small amounts, can cause severe and persistent gastroenteritis due to an unknown mycotoxin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Spotted tricholoma, tiger tricholoma, poison trich, leopard knight, tigertop, striped tricholoma |
| Scientific Name | Tricholoma pardinum |
| Cap Diameter | 5-15 cm (2-6 in) |
| Cap Colour | Pale grey with dark brownish to greyish scales |
| Gill Colour | Whanish |
| Spore Print Colour | White |
| Smell | Pleasant |
| Taste | Pleasant |
| Toxicity | Highly toxic |
| Toxic Effects | Severe, persistent gastroenteritis |
| Cause of Toxicity | Unknown mycotoxin |
| Subspecies | T. pardinum var. unguentatum |
| Subspecies Characteristics | Daintier mushrooms with a greasy coating on their caps |
| Habitat | Beech woodland, conifers in the Rocky Mountains, tanoak and madrone in California |
| Region | Europe, Asia, North America |
| Season | Summer and Autumn |
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What You'll Learn
Taxonomy and naming
Tricholoma pardinum, commonly known as the dirty trich, is a species of gilled mushroom. It was first officially described by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon in 1801, though its taxonomic history is somewhat confusing, spanning over two centuries.
In 1762, German naturalist Jacob Christian Schäffer described the species Agaricus tigrinus with an illustration that corresponds to what we now know as Tricholoma pardinum. Consequently, the name Tricholoma tigrinum has been erroneously used in some European field guides. In 1782, Bulliard described a mushroom that now corresponds with Lentinus tigrinus, and in 1821, Elias Magnus Fries used the name Agaricus tigrinus in his work Systema Mycologicum, in accordance with Bulliard's description.
The specific epithet pardinum is derived from the Latin pardus, meaning "leopard", and refers to its mottled or spotted cap. The generic name derives from the Greek θρίξ thrix, meaning "hair", and λῶμα lōma, meaning "hem", "fringe", or "border".
The dirty trich was a name coined by author Gary H. Lincoff in response to a publisher's request for a more accessible name than its binomial one for North American guidebooks. Other common names include striped tricholoma, spotted tricholoma, tiger tricholoma, poison trich, leopard knight, and tigertop.
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Toxicity and mushroom poisoning
Mushrooms have been consumed by humans since prehistory, and mushroom poisoning has been known for just as long. Today, most mushroom poisonings occur due to foragers misidentifying toxic species as edible ones. However, many cases are intentional ingestions, especially among young drug users. Poisonings may range from mild gastrointestinal upset to devastating consequences such as liver or kidney failure, and even death.
There are about 6000 ingestions of toxic mushrooms annually in the United States, with over half of the cases involving children under six. Severe poisonings are primarily a consequence of misidentification by adults foraging for wild mushrooms. The clinical presentation differs depending on the species and the toxin ingested. For example, acute gastroenteritis is often secondary to the ingestion of "backyard mushrooms" such as Chlorophyllum molybdites, while Clitocybe and Inocybe mushrooms cause cholinergic toxicity due to the muscarine they contain.
Hallucinogenic mushroom poisoning is the most common neurotoxic presentation of mushroom toxicity. Psilocybin-containing mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", have been used in indigenous New World cultures for millennia. However, serious adverse outcomes have been reported, including myocardial infarction, severe rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure, protracted paranoid psychosis, and even suicide.
Tricholoma pardinum, commonly known as "dirty trich", is a toxic member of the Tricholoma genus. It is widely distributed across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, and is often found in beech woodland during the summer and autumn. It is a large, attractive mushroom with a pleasant smell and taste, resembling several edible species. Ingesting it, even in small quantities, can result in severe, persistent gastroenteritis caused by an unknown mycotoxin.
To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the mushrooms you intend to collect, as well as any similar-looking toxic species. The safety of eating wild mushrooms may also depend on the methods of preparation and cooking. Some toxins, like amatoxins, are thermostable, and cooking may not always render the mushroom safe for consumption.
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Similar species
Tricholoma pardinum, commonly known as the dirty trich mushroom, may be confused with several edible grey-capped members of the genus Tricholoma. Some authorities recommend leaving all grey-capped Tricholoma mushrooms for experienced hunters. There are several superficially similar European species that could be mistaken for T. pardinum.
The smaller T. terreum, commonly known as the grey knight or dirty tricholoma, is a grey-capped mushroom of the large genus Tricholoma. It is found in coniferous woodlands in Europe and North America, and has also been encountered under introduced pine trees in Australia and New Zealand. It is regarded as edible, but is toxic in extremely high quantities. It lacks a mealy smell and cap scales, is darker and less robust, and has smaller spores measuring 5.0–7.5 by 4.0–5.0 μm.
The edible T. argyraceum somewhat resembles T. pardinum, but with finer scales, and gills and bruised parts that yellow with age. Unlike the preferentially montane T. pardinum, these lookalikes tend to fruit at lower elevations. T. atroviolaceum and T. imbricatum are also similar species. T. atrosquamosum is smaller and darker than T. pardinum, and has a peppery aroma. T. orirubens has fine dark scales and pinkish gills, brittle flesh, and is generally smaller.
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Global distribution
Tricholoma pardinum, commonly known as the dirty trich mushroom, is a species of gilled mushroom. It was first officially described by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon in 1801. The dirty trich mushroom is widely distributed across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
In Europe, the dirty trich mushroom is more commonly found in the south, particularly in the Jura Mountains in eastern France. It is also present in Belgium and Germany, but has not been recorded in the Netherlands or the British Isles. In Asia, it has been found in İzmir Province in southwestern Turkey, China, and Sado Island in Japan.
Across North America, the dirty trich mushroom is found in the west, in Santa Cruz County and Sierra Nevada in central California, and in the central Appalachians in the east. Its southern limits are marked by the central Appalachians in the east and the Sierra Nevada in the west. It is commonly associated with conifers in the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest, and with tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) and madrone (Arbutus spp.) in California.
The dirty trich mushroom can be abundant in some years, especially in warmer years with higher rainfall. However, it may also be missing or rare for several years.
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Contamination and mould
Tricholoma pardinum, commonly known as dirty trich, is a species of gilled mushroom. It is widely distributed across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. It is generally found in beech woodland in summer and autumn. It is one of the more toxic members of the Tricholoma genus and has been implicated in several mushroom poisoning incidents.
Mushroom contamination is inevitable in cultivation. It can find its way into your grow bag, grain jar, Petri dish, or monotub. One of the most common types of contamination is Trichoderma, a genus of green mold that preys on other fungal mycelium. It is distinguished by its vibrant blue-green color during sporulation. Trichoderma harzianum is the most common variety, producing an aggressive white mycelium that causes mushrooms to decay before turning green. It can be challenging to identify and eradicate Trichoderma before sporulation, but it is crucial to saving your crop.
To identify mushroom contamination, you can use a swab test during the fruiting period. The test utilises the sticky nature of mould spores, which will stick to the swab if present. Another way to limit contamination is to ensure your grains or substrates are not overhydrated, as cobweb mould thrives in high humidity and stagnant air. Lowering humidity and improving air circulation can help limit cobweb mould contamination.
To avoid bacterial mushroom contamination, such as Bacillus spp., it is recommended to soak your grains for 12 to 24 hours at room temperature before sterilisation. This allows any heat-resistant endospores to germinate and become susceptible to standard sterilisation. If you encounter bacteria, you may choose to observe how your mycelium culture responds. In some cases, it may consume the bacteria, resulting in a strong culture capable of fighting off future bacteria.
If you encounter Trichoderma, it is recommended to remove the contaminated items from your lab or fruiting room to prevent further contamination. While some suggest spreading salt on the affected area, it is generally advised to start fresh and sanitise the affected area before beginning a new grow.
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Frequently asked questions
Tricholoma pardinum, commonly known as dirty trich, is a species of gilled mushroom.
It is found across Europe, where it is more common in the south. It is abundant in the Jura Mountains in eastern France, Belgium, and Germany. It is also found in parts of Asia and North America.
The dirty trich mushroom has a pale grey cap up to 15 cm in diameter that is covered with dark brownish to greyish scales. The gills are whitish and are not attached to the stout white to pale grey-brown stalk.
Yes, it is one of the more toxic members of the genus Tricholoma. Ingesting it, even in small quantities, can result in severe, persistent gastroenteritis caused by an unknown mycotoxin.
The dirty trich mushroom can be identified by its pale grey cap with dark brownish to greyish scales and its whitish gills. It is often found in beech woodland in summer and autumn and is associated with chestnut and spruce trees.
