{{Short description|Species of fungus}} {{stack begin}} {{Speciesbox | image = Inocybe spec. - Lindsey 1.jpg | genus = Inocybe | species = lacera | authority = (Fr.) P.Kumm. (1871) | synonyms = *''Agaricus lacerus'' <small>Fr. (1821)</small> }} {{mycomorphbox | name = ''Inocybe lacera'' | whichGills = adnexed | capShape = convex |capShape2 = umbonate | hymeniumType=gills | stipeCharacter= bare | ecologicalType=mycorrhizal | sporePrintColor= brown | howEdible= poisonous }} {{stack end}}

'''''Inocybe lacera''''', commonly known as the '''torn fibrecap''', is a poisonous species of mushroom in the genus ''Inocybe''. Its appearance is that of a typical "little brown mushroom": small, brown and indistinct. It is distinguishable by its microscopic features, particularly its long, smooth spores. There are several documented subspecies in addition to the main ''I.&nbsp;lacera'' var ''lacera'', including the dwarf form ''I.&nbsp;lacera'' var. ''subsquarrosa'' and ''I.&nbsp;lacera'' var. ''heterosperma'', found in North America.

Found in Europe and North America, it typically grows in autumn in mixed woods, favouring sandy soil. As with many other species of ''Inocybe'', ''I.&nbsp;lacera'' contains the poisonous chemical muscarine which, if consumed, can lead to salivation, lacrimation, urination, defecation, gastrointestinal problems and vomiting.

==Taxonomy== ''Inocybe lacera'' was first described by Swedish mycologist Elias Magnus Fries, but was placed into the genus ''Inocybe'' by Paul Kummer<ref name="Phillips"/> in his 1871 work, ''Der Führer in die Pilzkunde''.<ref name="Kuo"/> As several forms of the species are recognised, the main variety is sometimes known as ''Inocybe lacera'' var. ''lacera''.<ref name="Jordan">{{cite book |title= The Encyclopedia of Fungi of Britain and Europe|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ULhwByKCyEwC&q=%22Inocybe+lacera%22&pg=PA292|access-date= 2008-07-31|last= Jordan|first= Michael|year= 2004|publisher= Frances Lincoln|location= London|isbn= 978-0-7112-2378-3|page= 292}}</ref> It is commonly known as the Torn Fibrecap,<ref name="Sterry"/> while in German it is known as ''Gemeiner Wirrkopf'' and in French as ''Inocybe déchiré''.<ref name="RogersMushrooms">{{cite web|url= http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~6444.asp|title= Inocybe lacera|access-date= 2009-02-15|last= Phillips|first= Roger|publisher= RogersMushrooms|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081007164852/http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~6444.asp|archive-date= 2008-10-07|url-status= dead}}</ref>

==Description== thumb|''I. lacera'' gills

In appearance, ''I.&nbsp;lacera'' is a typical "little brown mushroom",<ref name="Kuo">{{cite web |url= http://www.mushroomexpert.com/inocybe_lacera.html|title= Inocybe lacera|access-date=2009-02-15 |last= Kuo|first= Michael|date=February 2005|publisher= MushroomExpert.com}}</ref> but specific features are very variable.<ref name="Sterry"/> It typically features a convex cap measuring {{convert|1 to 3|cm|1}} across, with a small umbo.<ref name="Phillips"/> The margin of the cap curves inwards, and often splits.<ref name="Sterry"/> In colour, it is snuff-brown, and in consistency, it is fibrillose<ref name="Phillips"/> and scaley.<ref name="Sterry"/> The stipe, or stem, is {{convert|2 to 3|cm|1|abbr=on}} tall, and {{convert|3 to 6|mm}} thick, brown at the slightly bulbous base, but lighter towards the apex, and, again, fibrillose.<ref name="Phillips"/> The stem lacks a ring.<ref name="Jordan"/> The flesh is white. The adnexed gills are white in younger specimens, soon changing to a clay-buff with white edges.<ref name="Phillips">{{cite book |title= Mushrooms and Other Fungi of Great Britain and Europe|last= Phillips|first= Roger|year= 1981|publisher= Pan Books|location= London|isbn= 0-330-26441-9|pages=152–153}}</ref>

===Microscopic features=== ''Inocybe lacera'' has thick-walled, fusiform cystidia, which have apical encrustations. It has a brown spore print, while the subcylindrical spores are smooth, typically measuring 11 to 15 by 4.5 to 6&nbsp;μm in size.<ref name="Phillips"/> ''I.&nbsp;lacera'' is one of a small group of related species with particularly long, cylindrical spores, the others of which can typically be found on sand dunes.<ref name="Pegler">{{cite book |title= Mushrooms and Toadstools|last= Pegler|first= David N.|year= 1983|publisher= Mitchell Beazley Publishing|location= London|isbn= 0-85533-500-9|page= 57}}</ref> The spore shape is more typical of species from the order Boletales.<ref name="Kuo"/> These features make the ''I.&nbsp;lacera'' easily recognisable microscopically.<ref name="Phillips"/> The "dwarf form", ''I.&nbsp;lacera'' var. ''subsquarrosa'', has small spores and thin-walled cystidia, while a North American variant, ''I.&nbsp;lacera'' var. ''heterosperma'' has spores varying from 5.5 to 15.5&nbsp;μm in length.<ref name="Kuo"/> The species has 4-spored basidia.<ref name="Jordan"/>

===Similar species=== ''Inocybe hystrix'' is similar in appearance, but noticeably more scaly. It is also far less common.<ref name="Sterry"/>

==Edibility== ''Inocybe lacera'' has mild-tasting flesh and a mild, mealy smell.<ref name="Phillips"/><ref name="Kuo"/> The North American variety ''I.&nbsp;lacera'' var. ''heterosperma'' has a spermatic smell.<ref name="Kuo"/> However, species of ''Inocybe'' should always be avoided when choosing mushrooms for consumption, as many of the members of the genus are dangerously toxic.<ref name="Kuo"/> ''I.&nbsp;lacera'' is known to be poisonous,<ref name="Pegler"/> containing quantities of the toxic compound muscarine. Consumption of the mushroom typically leads to salivation, lacrimation, urination, defecation, gastrointestinal problems and vomiting (emesis), which has given rise to the acronym SLUDGE.<ref name="Hall">{{cite book |title= Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of the World|last= Hall|first= Ian Robert|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yqHA_M7BVRcC&q=%22Inocybe+lacera%22&pg=PA109|access-date= 2008-08-19|author2= Buchanan, Peter K.|author3= Stephenson, Steven L.|author4= Yun, Wang|author5= Cole, Anthony L. J.|year= 2003|publisher= Timber Press|isbn= 978-0-88192-586-9|pages= 108–109}}</ref> Other potential effects include a drop in blood pressure, sweating and death due respiratory failure.<ref name="Hall"/>

==Distribution and habitat== ''Inocybe lacera'' can be found throughout autumn on sandy soil, especially with pine,<ref name="Phillips"/> though it is typically found in mixed woods.<ref name="Pegler"/> It grows mycorrhizally with both conifers and hardwoods. The fruiting bodies can be found alone, in scattered groups, or growing gregariously.<ref name="Kuo"/> It is most commonly found on the edge of pathways through woodland,<ref name="Pegler"/> and another common habitat is on old, moss-covered fire sites.<ref name="Jordan"/> Other habitats include heathland and coastal dunes.<ref name="Sterry">{{cite book |title= Complete Guide to British Mushrooms & Toadstools|author1=Sterry, Paul |author2=Hughes, Barry |year= 2009|publisher= HarperCollins|isbn= 978-0-00-723224-6|page= 196}}</ref> It can be found in Europe<ref name="Phillips"/> and North America.<ref name="Kuo"/> In some areas of Montana, it can be found growing in the spring under ''Populus tremuloides''.<ref name="Kuo"/>

==See also== *List of ''Inocybe'' species

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2992882}}

lacera Category:Poisonous fungi Category:Fungi described in 1821 Category:Fungi of Europe Category:Fungi of North America Category:Taxa named by Elias Magnus Fries Category:Fungus species