Characteristic Fungus Odours

CHARACTERISTIC FUNGUS ODOURS

Quite apart from repellent smells of stinkhorns, mycologists have long recognised that many toadstools have a characteristic odour. These range over a wide olfactory spectrum from the pleasing, the curious and intriguing, to the unpleasant. For anyone with a normal sense of smell, odours may be used as an aid to confirm identification.

Elias Fries (1794-1878) a founding father of modern fungus taxonomy, puzzlingly described Scytinostroma odoratumas having “a strong odour of foreign travellers”, while Julius Schaeffer (1882-1944) (who devised the Schaeffer reaction for Agaricus species) described a number of Russula species as smelling of cheese or sweaty feet.

Those pioneers of the fungus foray, the Woolhope Club of Hereford, reported in their 1869 Transactions that “Agaricus incana (Entoloma incanum) is remarkable for its strong and persistent smell of mice, and some amusement was created by the persevering way in which some of the members went on to convince themselves time after time of its disagreeable odour”. In modern times, this fungus has been given the recommended English name of “Mousepee Pinkgill” 1

The strong aniseed scent of Haploporus odorus, a bracket fungus of Nordic latitudes2, ensured its use as a natural perfume even when dried. Linnaeus mentions that a Lapland youth would carry it in his pocket when going out wooing. The unique aroma of the true truffle - that slightly garlicky, very earthy pungent deep musky smell –is highly prized in gourmet cuisine.

Toadstool odours are many and varied, often inspiring peculiar descriptions such as steam engine smoke, crabs, gingerbread, stagnant water, cooking artichokes, and many other substances.

Some species with distinctive odours have specific epithets indicating odour, such as odora or odorata, meaning scented or aromatic. Others embody word-elements such as -olens meaning “smelling of”, as in Russula meliolens “smelling of honey”, and –osm-(o/a/us/um) meaning “odour” as in Cortinarius osmophorus (odour bearing, odoriferous), and diosma (two odours) where either a mixture of odours is immediately detectable or distinctively different odours may be perceived in succession. Conversely, inolens indicates the lack of odour where otherwise it usually occurs, as in the odourless form of the Aniseed Cockleshell, Lentinellus cochleatus var. inolens.

Some odours are difficult to define and although clearly perceived may lack a distinctive association. These may be described merely as “fruity”, “flowery”, “sweet” or “unpleasant”.

Where odours are faint or elusive, crushing a piece of the flesh, or enclosing the material briefly in a clean container, may reveal a distinct odour not otherwise evident in the cut or crushed flesh. Different parts of an Agaric fruitbody should be checked such as at the base of the stipe, 1 the flesh, the gills, and from a pile of fruiting bodies. The base of the stipe of some Cortinarius and Hebeloma species has an odour of honey not detectable on other parts of the toadstool.For example, a European Agaric Pholiota squarrosoides3 (rare in the UK) grows on wood in large clusters which are claimed to have an odour somewhere between coffee and chocolate, yet the flesh totally lacks this odour.

While aging or dried material may still provide a useful odour, where decay is more advanced the material may prove of little value for odour testing. A significant number of “fruity” odours occur in Russula spp along with a variety of interesting smells, while Clitocybe and Tricholoma are known for mealy, farinaceous odours, whereas in Inocybe a fair number are spermatic while others have the aroma ofJasmine or ripe pears.

The human sense of smell is rather subjective and certain odours may be perceived by some people quite differently from others, sometimes leading to vigorous debate, and equivocal odours may therefore be listed under more than one heading in the odours table. Nevertheless, there has been sufficient agreement on many odours to record their associations.

As information on toadstool odours is randomly scattered throughout the literature, a table derived from various sources of characteristic fungus odours is set out below, as an aid to identification.

CHARACTERISTIC FUNGUS ODOURS

+/- means ‘more or less’

acetylene Cortinarius traganus. Stephensia bombycina. ammonia or nitrous odour Mycena leptocephala; M. capillaripes. amyl acetate see pear-drops. aniseed or anise Clitocybe odora; C. fragrans. Haploporus odorus. Lentinellus cochleatus. Osmoporus odoratus. Trametes suaveolens. Tricholoma apium. apples, see also fruity Russula adulderina; R. atropurpurea; R. cavipes; R. depallens; R. queleti; R. sardonia var. sardoni; R. solaris; R. taeniospora. apples, fermenting Russula maculata. apple, stewed Russula fellea.

2 apricots Cantharellus cibarius. Russula (lutea) risgallina. R. neglecta.. Rhodotus palmatus. aromatic Leucopaxillus paradoxus. Choiromyces meandriformis (when fresh milky, later foetid). artichoke, cooking Russula amoena (strongly); R. violeipes (fugitive). artichoke Hygrophorus cossus. Russula amoena sensu Romagnesi; R. violeipes (syn amoena sensu Pearson) (fugitive); R. sororia (syn amoenolens sensu Romagn.). artichoke, Jerusalem Hysterangium nephriticum (at first; then disagreeable). Russula amoenolens. banana Inocybe tenebrosa (= I. atripes). basil Tricholoma atrosquamosum. bleach, domestic, or chlorine see Hypochlorite. bread rusk Amanita excelsa var. excelsa. bubble gum Entoloma ameides. bugs (bed bugs) suggestive of: Russula delica, Lactarius quietus. L. subumbonatus. burnt sugar Hebeloma sacchariolens. cabbage, cooked or rotten Gymnopus (Collybia) impudicus. Gymnopus (Collybia) hariolorum. Gymnopus (Micromphale) foetidus. Gymnopus brassicolens var. brassicolens. Gymnopus perforans. Phyllotopis nidulans.

Camembert cheese Ileodictyon cibarium. Stephensia bombycina. carrots Lactarius deterimus. cedar-wood Agaricus pilantianus. Russula badia; R. maculata. celery Tricholoma apium. chicory, or cheap coffee Agaricus vaporarius. Lactarius helvus; L. subumbonatus.

3 cheesy Cortinarius camphoratus. Hymenogaster citrinus. Russula sororia; R. virescens. cigar box Mycena diosma; mixed with flowery or radish. cinnamon Lentinus lepideus. citronella, oil of Antrodia xantha. citrus Antrodia xantha. clove oil Russula violaceoides. coconut, desiccated Lactarius glyciosmus. Russula aurantiaca; R. betularum; R. emetic; R. emeticella; R. (pulchella) exalbicans; R. gracilima; R. knauthii; R.mairei. cocoa Fayodia gracilipes. Some Hebeloma spp. cod-liver oil Entoloma hirtipes (mealy smell, mixed with cucumber and fish).

Convalaria majalis blossom Hymenogaster griseus. crabs Russula erythropus ; R. erythropus; R. xerampelina var. fusca; & var. olivascens; & var. barlae; R. violipes(slight when fresh).

Crataegus blossom Crataegus leaves infected with Monilinia johnsonii. coumarin or chicory Lactarius glyciosmus; L. helvus. Phellodon spp. Tricholoma caligatum. cucumber Entoloma hirtipes (mealy smell, mixed with cucumber and fish). Macrocystidia cucumis. Tephrocybe palustris. curry Lactarius camphoratus especially after drying; L. helvus. drains Stephensia bombycina. earthy Clitocybe hydrogramma. Cystoderma carharias. Inocybe cervicolor. eau-de-cologne Lepista irina.

feathers, chicken hutch Clitocybe hydrogramma. C. (Singerocybe) phaeophthalma. fennel Tricholoma apium. fenugeek leaves, dried Phleogena faginea (intensifying on drying). fishy Agaricus bernardii. Entoloma hirtipes (cod-liver oil smell; mealy mixed with cucumber and fish). Clitocybe inornata. Inocybe bongardii var. pisciodora. Macrocystidia cucumis. Russula delica (sometimes). flowery see Hyacinth; Jasmine; pear blossom; white-thorn blossom. Puccinia punctiformis. flowery, violets Lepista irina. Phallus hadriani (when fresh; later foetid). foetid, nauseous, oily Camarophyllopsis foetens. Gymnopus foetidus. Russula foetens: R. subfoetens; R. pectinata; R. pectinatoides. foetid, carrion Phallus impudicus. Phallus hadriani at maturity. foetid, faecal Aseroe rubra. Clathrus ruber. Coprinopsis picacea (with mothballs). Ileodictyon cibarium. Lysurus cruciatus. Mutinus caninus. Mutinus ravenelii. foxy Marasmius wynneae when old. fruity, unspecific Cortinarius diosmus; radish when cut at first, later fruity. Russula rosea (slightly); R. solaris; R. silvestris.

fruity, apples Amanita excelsa var. excelsa. Gloeohypochnicium analogum. Lactarius evosmus. Phaeolepiota aurea. The odour is characteristic of Russula violacea group of stewed apples, blackcurrants or gooseberries, or Pelargonium. Russula adulterina; R. atropurpurea; R. carminea; R. consobrina, smell faint; R. fellea. R. mairei. R. queletii. fruity, apricot Cantharellus cibarius. Datronia mollis. fruity, fresh Russula farinipes; R. nigricans; R. sardonia; R. solaris. fruity, peach Cantharellus cibarius. Russula solaris; R. maire; R. lutea; R.

lutea. fruity, pear Cortinarius traganus var. finitimum. Hebeloma sinuosum: Inocybe bongardii var. bongardii. Lactarius acerrimus. Naucoria suavis. fruity, pineapple, canned Lactarius (Hydnangium) stephensii. Sarcodontia crocea (when fresh). fruity, plum (Mirabelle) Cantharellus cinereus. Cortinarius amoenolens. Datronia mollis.

fruity, various Gloeohypochnicium analogum; when newly dried; a strong; pleasant fruity smell. Sarcodontia crocea: odour unpleasantly and intensely sweetish-fruity anise- pineapple? fruit, rotting Sarcodontia crocea when old. fungi: decaying Aurantiporus fissilis. fungi: as of Lactarius tabidus Hymenogaster olivaceus. Hymenogaster tener. Lactarius stephensii. fungi: as of Polypores Russula mairei. garlic Mycetinis scorodonius. Mycetinis alliaceus. Marasmius prasiosmus. Gymnopus foetidus. Gymnopus brassicolens. gas: cooking/lighting Cystolepiota bucknalii. Tricholoma bufonium; T. sulphureum. gerkins, pickled Russula solaris when old. gingerbread Russula veternosa. goat Cortinarius camphoratus. goat moth Hygrophus cossus. hazel-nut Xerula pudens.

Helianthus tuberosus see artichoke, Jerusalem.

Hyacinth thistle rust in Spring (Puccinia punctiformis) spermogonia

stage on leaves smells of Hyacinth/Bluebell/Vanilla. Cortinarius osmophorus; reported as mixture of Hyacinth and mothballs (napthalene). Moser says “Sweetish (flowery) honey-like.”

Hypochlorite, domestic bleach. Disciotis venosa. Entoloma niderosum. Mycena aetites; M. leptocephala; M. capillaripes. hay Gymnopus confluens. Marasmius wynneae. hay: new Monilinia johnsonii; a mould on hawthorn leaves. Taphrina wiesneri of cherry leaves. henhouse Clitocybe hydrogramma; C. phaeophthalma. honey Cortinarius talus. Hygrocybe reidii (on bruised gills). Inocybed cookie. Russula betularum (faint); R. (rubra) pungens. R. veternosa honey or gingerbread; R. melliolens: mildly; R. alutacea; R. olivacea; R. violaceoides: honey or oil of cloves. horn, burnt Cortinarius camphoratus. Entoloma incanum. iodine Cortinarius obtusus. Russula aquosa; R. turci. iodoform Mycena archangeliana. Russula amethystina (at base of stipe); R. turci (at base of stipe); R. neglecta (weakly).

Iris Hymenogaster vulgaris.

Jasmine Inocybe bongardii var. bongardii. Inocybe pyriodora Lepista saeva. Marasmius wynneae. Tricholoma album. ivy Lactarius cremor at first, then chicory.

Lettuce, cut or decaying. Entomophthora spp. laudenum Russula cavipes. lemon, citronella oil Antrodia xantha. liquorish Agaricus vaporarius. lupins Mycena inclinata.

Maggi seasoning Phelodon confluens; P. melaleucus; P. niger. malted milk drink (Horlicks) Verpa conica. mandarin oranges Hygrophorus eburneus. marzipan/bitter almonds Hebeloma radicosum. Inocybe hirtella. Russula grata; R. ilota. meal or flour, newly ground Calocybe gambosusm. Clitopilus prunulus. Entoloma sinuatum. meal, rancid Rhodocybe popinalis.

melilot Gymnopus confluens. Marasmius wynneae.

mealy, farinaceous Entoloma sericeum. Fayodia gracilipes. Mycena epipterygia, faint. Tricholoma atrosquamosum. menthol Lepista glaucocana. Russula amarissima; R. aurantiaca; R. pseudointegra; R. (lepida) rosea. mothballs: see naphthalene. mouse droppings Entoloma incanum . mousey Aurantiporus fissilis. Grifola frondosa. Melanoleuca grammopodia. musk Lactarius helvus. Leucopaxillus paradoxus. Ischnoderma benzionum. mussels Inocybe mytiliodora.

napthalene, naptha Coprinopsis picaceus; Cortinarius osmophorus; reported as mixture of Hyacinth and mothballs. Scytinostroma portentosum (strongly). oily Russula foetens; R. subfoetens; R. pectinatoides; R. sororia; R. sororia sensu Romag.

onion Mycetinis alliaceus. Mycetinis scorodonius.

Pelargonium Cortinarius decipiens var. atrocaeruleus; C. (paleaceus) flexipes. Inocybe griselilacina; I. pelargonium. Lactarius decipiens. Russula adulterina; R. alutacea; R. pseudodelica; R. fellea; R. pseudointegra; R. alutacea; R. olivacea; R. odorata; R. adulterina; R. pelargonia. Suillus tridentinus. Volvariella murinella.

pepper Tricholoma atrosquamosum.

parsnips, cooked Microbotryum tragopogonis-pratensis. peach Russula amoena sensu Romagnesi. pear blossom Tricholoma caligatum. pear-drops; over-ripe pears Inocybe pyriodora; I. corydalina; I. erinaceomorpha. Russula fragilis var. fragilis; & var. nivea. R. rhodomelanea. peas Lyophyllum connatum. phenol or ink Agaricus moelleri. Agaricus xanthodermus. Hymenogaster luteus. Cortinarius obtusus. pineapple, canned Lactarius (Hydnangium) stephensii.

pleasant: coconut Russula aquosa; R. mairei. pleasant +/-, bitter almonds Clitocybe gibba. Marasmius oreades. Russula illota; R. laurocerasi. pleasant +/-, Pelargonium Russula aldulterina; R. alutacea. R. cavipes; R. fellea. R. odorata; slighly aromatic. R. olivacea. R. pelargonia. R. pseudodelica. R. pseudointegra (+ menthol). pleasant +/- newly cut wood Mycoacia uda. potato, raw Amanita excelsa var. excelsa; A. citrina & var. alba. A. porphyria. Mycena rosea. Pluteus cervinus.

potato, cooked; cold Grifola frondosa. potato skin, or rotten Cortinarius camphoratus.

Russian leather Hygrocybe (Cuphophyllus) russocoriacea. radish Cortinarius diosmus; when cut at first; later fruity. Hebeloma crustuliniforme. Russula aquosa. In old specimens of Tuber rapaeodorum. (But Prof. Lilian Hawker says “the smell of radishes is almost certainly due to bacterial attack and of no value as a diagnostic character for truffles”). rancid Clitocybe diosma; C. hydrogramma. Grifola frondosa. Russula foetens; R. subfoetens; R. pectinata; R. pectinatoides; R. sororia; R. sororia sensu Romag. Tephrocybe rancida. resinous Hgrophorus pudorinus. Inocybe calamistra. Russula badia. rubbery, unpleasant Russula insignis. Lactarius subdulcis. Lepiota cristata. Lactarius subdulcis. saffron Russula cavipes.

Scleroderma, suggestive of. Russula minitula. Lactarius subdulcis. shrimps Russula violipes (slight when fresh); R. erythropus; R. xerampelina var. fusca; & var. olivascens; & var. barlae smoke, of steam engine Cortinarius calliseus. soap, scented Entoloma aprile. Haasiella splendidissima. Rhodocollybia butyracea. Tricholoma saponaceum.

spermatic Gyromitra esculenta. Inocybe albovetulipes; I. amethystina; I. appendiculata; I. asterospora; I. cincinnata; I. cookie; I. dunensis; I. fibrosa; I. flavella; I. flocculosa; I. fuligineo-atra; I. hystrix. I. geophylla var. geophylla; I. halophile; I. hirtella; I. lucifuga; I. mixtilis; I. nitiuscula; I. perlata; I. petiginosa; I. phaeoleuca; I. phaodisca v. geophylloides; I. piceae; I. posterula; I. pusio; I. queletii; I. rufula; I. sambucina; I.

scabella; I. sidonia; I. subalbidodisca; I. tenebrosa; I. rimosa; I. vigatula. stagnant water Marasmius acicola; M. foetidus; M. perforans. straw Pholiota squarrosa. strawberry Cortinarius talus. Inocybe xanthodisca. Morchella esculenta. sweat Cortinarius camphoratus. sweaty feet Russula parazuresa. sweetish Hypholoma capnoides. Lepiota helveola. Leucopaxillus tricolor. sweet: anise: see aniseed. sweet: honey Russula alutacea; R. melliolens; R. olivacea; R. rubra; R. veternosa. sweet: amyl acetate: see pear-drops. sweet-smelling, fragrant Claviceps purpurea emerging conidia Sphacelia state. Monilinia johnsonnii (anamorph of Sclerotinia bulborum) may grow over the surface of hawthorn leaves as a sweet-scented powdery grey mould. Mycoacia nothofagi. tree-sap Mycoacia uda. tobacco Mycena diosma; mixed with flowery or radish. tomato, tomato leaves Clitocybe hougtonii; sweetish. tom-cat, acrid Marasmius wynneae when old. tonka bean Dipteryx odorata Phellodon confluens; P. melaleucus; P. niger. turpentine Hgrophorus pudorinus. unpleasant: iodoform: Russula neglecta sensu Schaeffer (weakly). unpleasant: repugnant: Aurantiporus fissilis when old.

11 unpleasant: vomity: Aurantiporus fissilis when old. Russula subfoetens. vanilla, vanillin Crataegus leaves infected with Monilinia johnsonii in Monilia stage. Hymenogaster luteus. Puccinia punctiformis on Cirsium arvense. white-thorn blossom Tricholoma caligatum. wine cask, old; & sherry Russula adusta; R. densifolia. wood, damp Tricholomopsis rutilans.

References.

1 Recommended English names for fungi in the UK. Report to the British Mycological Society; English Nature; Plantlife and Scottish Natural Heritage. E.M. Holden. 2003. http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/english-names/

2 Fungi, by Spooner, B.M. & Roberts, P.New Naturalist Library, HarperCollins. 2005.

3 Field Mycology magazine 8(4) (Oct 2007) pp 113-4.