Gymnopilus junonius

(Big Laughing Gym, Waraitake)

Gymnopilus junonius, formally named Gymnopilus Spectabilus, with many common names including, Beringter Flammling, Gymnopile Remarquable, Spectacular Rustgill, and most commonly Big Laughing Gym, and to the Japanese Waraitake, translating to Laughing Mushroom. There is a tale of Buddhist priests and nuns accidentally eating some and uncontrollably went dancing and laughing through the town. Found growing on hardwoods or conifers, and is known to reach large sizes up to 40cm on average. Looks similar to the slender Gymnopilus Luteus, also found in Michigan. Habitat: Found all throughout North America. Wood lover. Growing on Logs, Stumps, Hardwood, Conifers. Anywhere there is decaying wood. Habit: Dense clusters Season: Late Summer, Early Fall Taste: Very Bitter Odor: Mild or Fragrant Edibility: Hallucinogenic
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Gymnopilus aeruginosus continued...

Macroscopic Characteristics
Pileus: 5cm-40cm across. Convex to expanded flat with age. Rich Golden-Tawny to Orange to Brownish-Orange. Covered in small fibrous appressed scales. Dry, silky texture. Margin Inrolled when young, sometimes with partial veil remnants still attached. Lamellae: Attached or slightly attached. Close. Yellowish when young, becoming Orangish to Orange-Brown.

Stipe: 3cm-20cm long, 1cm-6cm thick. Proportionate to sometimes swollen in the middle. Rusty-Orange to Yellowish. Silky near the apex. Appressed fibrillose (sometimes shaggy when young) below the veil ring, becoming smooth by maturity. Flesh is thick and firm, Pale Yellowish in color. Veil: Orangish to brownish. Fairly Sturdy (especially when young) that folds out at the top and may be dusted with orange spores. Spore Print: Bright Rusty-Orange spore print.

Microscopic Characteristics
Spores: 7-10 x 4.5-6. Roughened with tiny warts. Slightly Elliptical, Dextrinoid. Pleurocystidia: 21-33 x 6-7. Present, but inconspicuous. Ventricose. Cheilocystidia: Present, more or less typical for the genus. Caulocystidia: Present. Often quite Large. By: CODY DIEHL