Chlorophyllum molybdites
Chlorophyllum molybdites is a poisonous, gilled mushroom commonly called the green-spored parasol. It grows in lawns, parks, and meadows, and its mature gills and spores can turn green. Because it can be mistaken for edible mushrooms, never eat a wild mushroom without expert identification.
- Family
- Agaricaceae
- Habitat
- Lawns, parks, and meadows
- Spore color
- Green when mature
- Ecology
- Breaks down organic matter
- Safety
- Poisonous if eaten
What is Chlorophyllum molybdites?
Chlorophyllum molybdites is a large, gilled mushroom in the family Agaricaceae. Its common name, green-spored parasol, refers to a feature that becomes especially noticeable as the mushroom matures: its initially pale gills can darken to green, and its spore print is green. The cap is usually whitish with coarse brownish scales. A ring encircles the stem, which lacks the snakeskin-like pattern often seen on the edible parasol mushroom.
The cap may grow quite wide, but size alone is not a dependable way to identify it. Young specimens can look different from mature ones, and appearance can vary with age and conditions. The species is a saprotroph, meaning it obtains nutrients from dead organic material rather than living as a parasite on a host. It belongs to Basidiomycota, a major fungal group that includes many familiar mushrooms.
- 1Mycelium grows
Fine fungal threads spread through soil and decaying organic material.
- 2Conditions shift
Suitable moisture and seasonal conditions support visible mushroom growth.
- 3Mushroom emerges
A fruiting body rises above ground, sometimes in a ring or scattered group.
- 4Gills mature
Pale gills can darken toward green as the mushroom ages.
- 5Spores disperse
Mature gills release green spores that may travel to new locations.
How does Chlorophyllum molybdites form?
Like other mushrooms, the visible cap and stem are only the fruiting part of a larger fungus. Much of the organism lives out of sight as fine threads called hyphae. These threads form a network known as mycelium in soil or other material rich in decaying organic matter. The mycelium takes up nutrients as it grows; when conditions suit it, the fungus can produce mushrooms above the ground.
The mushrooms release spores from their gills. Spores are reproductive cells that can be carried away by air and may start new fungal growth when they reach suitable conditions. Chlorophyllum molybdites often appears after warm-season or autumn rains. It can grow in arcs or rings as well as in scattered groups, which is why people sometimes call it a fairy-ring mushroom. A ring’s shape is not proof of a particular species.
Its mature spore print is characteristically green.
It is poisonous; do not treat it as food.
Often found in lawns and meadows, though not limited to them.
Editorial placement to help compare; not a measurement.
Where do people encounter Chlorophyllum molybdites?
This species is often found in lawns, parks, and meadows, especially in temperate and subtropical areas. It is reported across eastern North America and in other parts of the world. Because it can emerge in grassy places where people walk, play, or gather mushrooms, it may be encountered close to homes and public spaces rather than only in remote woodland.
Its familiar lawn habitat and large, parasol-like cap contribute to mistaken identifications. People may confuse it with edible species such as the shaggy parasol or the parasol mushroom. The mushrooms can also grow in fairy rings, a pattern shared by different fungi. A location, ring shape, or single visible feature cannot establish an identification. Children and pets may also encounter mushrooms growing in yards, so avoid handling or eating unknown specimens.
| Chlorophyllum molybdites | Shaggy parasol | Parasol mushroom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spore print | Green when mature | White | White |
| Cap | Pale with brown scales | Scaly, often shaggy | Pale with scales |
| Stem | No snakeskin pattern | May redden when cut | Snakeskin-like pattern |
| Safety | Poisonous | Identification still matters | Identification still matters |
Is Chlorophyllum molybdites poisonous?
Yes. Chlorophyllum molybdites is poisonous and is a well-known cause of mushroom poisoning in North America. Eating it can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain; these may begin within a few hours. Poisonings can be severe, and children may be particularly vulnerable. If someone may have eaten this mushroom, contact Poison Control or emergency services promptly rather than waiting for an online identification.
A common misconception is that cooking makes this mushroom safe. Do not rely on cooking, appearance, smell, or a folk test to decide whether a wild mushroom is edible. Green spores are a useful warning sign in mature specimens, but their absence in a young or damaged mushroom does not prove it is safe. Never eat a wild mushroom without expert identification, and do not use this page as a substitute for an expert assessment.
How does Chlorophyllum molybdites connect to mushroom identification?
This species is a useful example of why mushroom identification uses several traits together. Observers may note the cap scales, free gills, stem ring, stem surface, habitat, age, and spore-print color. A spore print is made by letting spores fall from a cap onto a surface so their color can be observed. Each clue adds context, but no single feature should be treated as a guarantee of safety.
Learning terms such as cap, gills, stipe, annulus, and spore print can make field guides easier to understand. Comparing a mushroom with a lookalike can help explain differences, but it is not a replacement for an experienced identifier who can examine the specimen and its details. This caution applies broadly to foraging: poisonous species can resemble edible ones, and an uncertain mushroom should be left uneaten.
Common questions about Chlorophyllum molybdites
Is Chlorophyllum molybdites poisonous?
Yes. Eating Chlorophyllum molybdites can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, sometimes severely. If someone may have eaten it, contact Poison Control or emergency services promptly. Never eat a wild mushroom without expert identification, even if it looks like a familiar edible species.
Why is it called the green-spored parasol?
The name points to its parasol-like shape and the green color of its mature spores. Its gills may also turn green as the mushroom ages. A green spore print can be a helpful identification clue, but it should not be used by itself to decide whether a mushroom is safe.
Where does Chlorophyllum molybdites grow?
It commonly grows in lawns, parks, and meadows, and is found in temperate and subtropical regions. It may appear after seasonal rains, sometimes in a circular pattern called a fairy ring. Finding it in grass or in a ring does not, by itself, confirm its identity.
Can you confuse it with an edible parasol mushroom?
Yes. Its large, scaly cap can resemble edible mushrooms such as the shaggy parasol and parasol mushroom. Features including gill color, spore-print color, and stem markings can help distinguish species, but lookalikes and changes with age make expert identification important. Do not eat a wild specimen based on a photo or one trait.
Related terms
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Written by the Pscilly editorial team and reviewed November 2026. Educational content only, not medical or legal advice. Pscilly does not sell psilocybin. Never eat a wild mushroom without expert identification.