Leucopholiota decorosa

Leucopholiota decorosa
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Squamanitaceae
Genus: Leucopholiota
Species:
L. decorosa
Binomial name
Leucopholiota decorosa
(Peck) O.K.Mill., T.J.Volk & A.E.Bessette (1996)
Synonyms
  • Agaricus decorosus Peck (1873)
  • Tricholoma decorosum (Peck) Sacc. (1887)
  • Tricholomopsis decorosa (Peck) Singer (1943)
  • Armillaria decorosa (Peck) A.H.Sm. (1947)
  • Floccularia decorosa (Peck) Bon & Courtec. (1987)
Leucopholiota decorosa
Gills on hymenium
Cap is conical or flat
Hymenium is adnexed
Stipe has a ring
Spore print is white
Ecology is saprotrophic
Edibility is unknown

Leucopholiota decorosa is a species of fungus in the mushroom family Squamanitaceae. It is commonly known as the decorated pholiota. It was first described by American mycologist Charles Horton Peck as Agaricus decorosus in 1873, and the species has been transferred to several genera in its history, including Tricholoma, Tricholomopsis, Armillaria, and Floccularia. Three American mycologists considered the species unique enough to warrant its own genus, and transferred it into the new genus Leucopholiota in a 1996 publication.

It is distinguished by its fruit body which is covered with pointed brown, curved scales on the cap and stem, and by its white gills. Lookalike species with similar colors and scaly fruit bodies include Pholiota squarrosoides, Phaeomarasmius erinaceellus, and Leucopholiota lignicola. Found in the eastern United States, France, and Pakistan, L. decorosa is saprobic, growing on the decaying wood of hardwood trees. Although there are historical references to its consumption, its edibility is unclear.