Omphalotus illudens, commonly known as the eastern jack-o'lantern mushroom, is a North American species of fungus.
Description
It forms a large, orange mushroom. The caps grow up to wide. The gills are decurrent and the stem is up to 15 cm long. The flesh is orange and the spore print is white to cream.
Its gills often exhibit a weak green bioluminescence when fresh. This green glow has been mentioned in several journal articles, which state that the phenomenon can persist up to 40–50 hours after the mushroom has been picked. It is believed that this display serves to attract insects to the mushroom's gills at night, which can then distribute its spores across a wider area.
Similar species
Omphalotus illudens is replaced by O. subilludens on the Gulf Coast, and O. olivascens is found in California. In addition to their antibacterial and antifungal effects, illudins appear to be the cause of human toxicity when these mushrooms are eaten raw or cooked, causing vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea. Muscarine has also been indirectly implicated in toxicity,
Gallery
<gallery>
File:Omphalotus illudens (Schwein.) Bresinsky & Besl 268693.jpg|Cluster
File:Omphalotus illudens 566096254.jpg|Bioluminescent gills
File:Omphalotus illudens 566096260.jpg|Bioluminescence close-up
File:Jack o' Lantern Mushroom Fungus.png|Cluster with U.S. quarter for size reference
File:081224 Jack O' Lantern NC.jpg|Bioluminescence
File:Glowing Jacks.png|In light and darkness
File:Jack o' Lantern Mushroom Fungus Clusters.png|Clusters growing at the base of an oak tree
File:2012-09-25 Omphalotus illudens (Schwein.) Bresinsky & Besl 270109.jpg|Growing near trunk
</gallery>
See also
- List of bioluminescent fungi