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Mushroom Monday: Blue Green Anise Mushroom (Clitocybe odora)
Today’s Mushroom Monday mushroom is the Blue Green Anise Mushroom (Clitocybe odora). It’s known for its color and scent. Learn more about it in today’s TrueTreeTalk blog post.
The Cap
Blue green anise mushrooms have caps that are around 1 to 2 ¾ inches in diameter. They start out with their edges rolled in, but they flatten out as the mushroom ages. The caps are generally hairless, but can also have very fine hairs. On some specimens, the edges can be irregular.
A distinguishing feature of the mushroom is the color of its cap. It’s blue/green in color and can be quite different from other mushrooms you might see. The color doesn’t last though, and as the mushroom ages, it becomes more brownish in color with a greenish hue. The center of the cap can be darker in color than the rest.
The Scent
The other distinguishing feature of this mushroom is its scent. It has a scent like anise when it is young, and it can be quite strong. The scent fades though as the mushroom ages and it can be variable.
The Gills
The gills of the blue green anise mushroom are attached to the stem and go down it, though some stop short of the stem. The gills are spread out and have a white/pink color.
The Stem
The stem of the blue green anise mushroom ranges in height from around 1.2 to 2 ¾ inches. The stems are cylindrical, hairless, and have a white/brown color. At the bases of mushrooms, there is a large amount of mycelium.
Where Can They Be Found?
Blue green anise mushrooms are saprophytic mushrooms and can be found growing in small groups around fallen leaves of different trees. They can be found in mountainous and northern states and the Midwest in North America, as well as in Europe and Japan. A similar looking mushroom that also has a scent is Clitocybe fragrans, however it grows in grassy areas instead of wooded ones.
If you liked learning about the blue green anise mushroom, check out our other Mushroom Monday posts on our TrueTreeTalk blog. Follow us on Facebook to keep up with these and other posts.
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ArborTrue is a science-based tree-service company in the greater Houston area. We also serve Austin and other parts of Central Texas. We provide a range of services including tree trimming, tree pruning, tree removal, tree planting, arborist consultations, and more. Call us today at 832-980-8733 (Houston) or at 512-546-3833 (Austin) or reach out to us online to schedule an appointment.
