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Phalaris truncata

2012-04-27T20:46:41Z

Spicehead: Created page with "Phalaris L. canarygrass Symbol: PHALA2 Group: Monocot Family: Poaceae Duration: Growth Habit: Native Status: None Classification: Phalaris L. Kingdom Plantae..."

Phalaris L.
canarygrass

Symbol: PHALA2
Group: Monocot
Family: Poaceae
Duration:
Growth Habit:
Native Status:
None

Classification:
Phalaris L.

Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Liliopsida – Monocotyledons
Subclass Commelinidae
Order Cyperales
Family Poaceae – Grass family
Genus Phalaris L. – canarygrass

Phalaris tuberosa

2012-04-27T20:44:39Z

Spicehead: Created page with "Phalaris aquatica, syn. P. tuberosa, known by the common names Bulbous canarygrass and Harding grass, is a species of grass in the genus Phalaris of the Poaceae Family."

Phalaris aquatica, syn. P. tuberosa, known by the common names Bulbous canarygrass and Harding grass, is a species of grass in the genus Phalaris of the Poaceae Family.

Phalaris paradoxa

2012-04-27T20:43:29Z

Spicehead: Created page with "Phalaris paradoxa L. hood canarygrass Symbol: PHPA5 Group: Monocot Family: Poaceae Duration: Annual Growth Habit: Graminoid Native Status: L48 ..."

Phalaris paradoxa L.
hood canarygrass

Symbol: PHPA5
Group: Monocot
Family: Poaceae
Duration: Annual
Growth Habit: Graminoid
Native Status:
L48 I
HI I

Classification:
Phalaris paradoxa L.

Click on a scientific name below to expand it in the PLANTS Classification Report.

Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Liliopsida – Monocotyledons
Subclass Commelinidae
Order Cyperales
Family Poaceae – Grass family
Genus Phalaris L. – canarygrass
Species Phalaris paradoxa L. – hood canarygrass

Phalaris minor

2012-04-27T20:34:32Z

Spicehead: Created page with "Retz., Poaceae Present on Pacific Islands? yes Primarily a threat at high elevations? no English: lesser canarygrass, little-seed Canary grass, small Canary grass Habit: g..."

Retz., Poaceae

Present on Pacific Islands? yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations? no

English: lesser canarygrass, little-seed Canary grass, small Canary grass

Habit: grass

Description: "Habit: Annual; caespitose. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 20-100 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2-7.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 5-10 cm long; 3-12 mm wide; flaccid. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous. Inflorescence a panicle. Panicle spiciform, or capitate; oblong, or ovate; 1-6 cm long; 1-2 cm wide. Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Spikelets comprising 2 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 4-6.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 4-6.5 mm long; 1 times length of upper glume; chartaceous; 1-keeled; winged on keel; winged above; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 4-6.5 mm long; 1.5-1.6 times length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; winged on keel; winged above; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute. Florets: Basal sterile florets dissimilar; with vestigial lower floret; attached to and deciduous with the fertile. Lemma of upper sterile floret subulate; 1-1.8 mm long. Fertile lemma elliptic; laterally compressed; 2.7-4 mm long; cartilaginous; shiny; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex acute. Palea cartilaginous; 2 -veined; without keels. Palea surface pubescent. Flower: Anthers 3; 1-1.5 mm long. Ovary glabrous. Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 2.3-2.5 mm long. Hilum linear" (GrassBase).

Habitat/ecology: "Forests, riparian habitats, freshwater wetlands, coastal beaches. A native of dry, open places that grows generally on sandy soils. It is invasive because it forms dense swards and becomes dominant, displacing native plants and preventing overstorey regeneration. It is also a significant agricultural weed" (Weber, 2003; p. 319).

Propagation: Seed

Native range: Macaronesia, northern Africa, Europe, western and central Asia (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. &
Island group Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction? Reference &
Comments
Australia (Pacific offshore islands)
Norfolk Islands Norfolk Island introduced
invasive
cultivated
Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 12)
"Probably introduced as a fodder plant". Voucher cited: P.S. Green 1488 (A)
State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Hawai‘i (Big) Island introduced
invasive
Herbst, Derral R./Wagner, Warren L. (1999) (p. 29)
Vouchers cited: Olson s.n. (BISH 120196), Herbst 5945 (BISH)
State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Moloka‘i Island introduced
invasive
Herbst, Derral R./Wagner, Warren L. (1999) (p. 29)
Voucher cited: Munro 126 (BISH)
State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands O‘ahu Island introduced
invasive
Herbst, Derral R./Wagner, Warren L. (1999) (p. 29)
Voucher cited: Hitchcock 13915 (BISH)
New Caledonia
New Caledonia New Caledonia Islands introduced
cultivated
MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 61)
"Seul spécimen"; voucher cited: Deplanche 70. Present status unknown.
New Zealand (offshore islands)
Kermadec Islands Kermadec Islands introduced
invasive
Edgar, E./Connor, H. (2000) (p. 354)
"Waste ground, roadsides, poor pasture, shingle and ballast".
Philippines
Philippine Islands Philippine Islands Merrill, Elmer D. (1925) (p. 78)
Altitude about 1,500 m; probably a mere casual here.
Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. &
Island group Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction? Reference &
Comments
Australia
Australia (continental) Australia (continental) introduced
invasive
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
China
China China (People's Republic of) introduced
invasive
Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2011)
Wheat fields, introduced. Yunnan.
Colombia
Colombia Colombia (Republic of) Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 273)
Ecuador (Mainland)
Ecuador Ecuador (Republic of) (continental) Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 273)
El Salvador
El Salvador El Salvador (Republic of) Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 273)
Indonesia
Indonesia Indonesia (Republic of) Hafliger, Ernst/Scholz, Hildemar (1980) (p. 115)
Japan
Japan Japan (country) introduced
Mito, Toshikazu/Uesugi, Tetsuro (2004) (p. 192)
Mexico
Mexico Mexico (United Mexican States) Hafliger, Ernst/Scholz, Hildemar (1980) (p. 115)
New Zealand
New Zealand New Zealand (country) introduced
invasive
Edgar, E./Connor, H. (2000) (p. 354)
"Waste ground, roadsides, poor pasture, shingle and ballast".
Control:

Physical: "Scattered plants can be dug out. Cutting before fruits ripen prevents seed formation".

Chemical: "Larger patches can be treated with herbicides" (Weber, 2003; p. 319).

Additional information:
Additional online information about Phalaris minor is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Information about Phalaris minor as a weed (worldwide references) may be available from the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).

Taxonomic information about Phalaris minor may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Clayton, W.D./Harman, K.T./Williamson, H. 2011. World Grass Species: Descriptions, Identification, and Information Retrieval [GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora]. The Board of Trustees, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Edgar, E./Connor, H. 2000. Flora of New Zealand, vol. V: Gramineae. Manaaki Whenua Press. .

Hafliger, Ernst/Scholz, Hildemar. 1980. Grass weeds, vol. 2. CIBA-GEIGY Ltd., Basle, Switzerland. 137 pp. + plates.

Herbst, Derral R./Wagner, Warren L. 1999. Contributions to the flora of Hawai‘i. VII. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucius G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1998. Part 1: Articles. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 58:12-36.

Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. 1979. A geographical atlas of world weeds. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 391 pp.

MacKee, H. S. 1994. Catalogue des plantes introduites et cultivées en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 164 p.

Merrill, Elmer D. 1925. An enumeration of Philippine flowering plants, vol. 1 [reprint]. Bureau of Printing, Manila. 463 pp.

Mito, Toshikazu/Uesugi, Tetsuro. 2004. Invasive alien species in Japan: the status quo and the new regulation for prevention of their adverse effects. Global Environmental Research 8(2)/2004: 171-191.

Orchard, Anthony E., ed. 1994. Flora of Australia. Vol. 49, Oceanic islands 1. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. 2011. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online searchable database.

Weber, Ewald. 2003. Invasive plants of the World. CABI Publishing, CAB International, Wallingford, UK. 548 pp.

Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong. 2011. Flora of China (online resource).

Phalaris canariensis

2012-04-23T17:23:40Z

Spicehead:

Group: Monocot
Family: Poaceae
Duration: Annual
Growth Habit: Graminoid

Phalaris canariensis

2012-04-23T17:23:12Z

Spicehead:

Group: Monocot
Family: Poaceae
Duration: Annual
Growth Habit: Graminoid
[[File:http://plants.usda.gov/gallery/large/phca5_003_lhp.jpg]]

Phalaris canariensis

2012-04-23T17:22:29Z

Spicehead: Created page with "Group: Monocot Family: Poaceae Duration: Annual Growth Habit: Graminoid"

Group: Monocot
Family: Poaceae
Duration: Annual
Growth Habit: Graminoid

Phalaris aquatica

2012-04-06T20:15:29Z

Spicehead:

Phalaris aquatica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phalaris aquatica

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Phalaris
Species: P. aquatica
Binomial name
Phalaris aquatica
L.
Phalaris aquatica, syn. P. tuberosa, known by the common names Bulbous canarygrass and Harding grass, is a species of grass in the genus Phalaris of the Poaceae Family.
Contents
1 Description
2 Toxicity
3 Invasive species

Description

It is an erect, waist-high, stout perennial bunch grass with grayish to bluish green leaves. Flowering heads are dense, spike-like, and usually two to five inches long. It is slow to develop from seed, but can form large bunches after several years.
Phalaris arundinacea ('Reed canary grass') differs from Harding grass in having more distinct rhizomes and an inflorescence that is compact at first but later becomes more open as the branches spread.
Hybrids of Harding grass and reed canary grass have been produced. Varieties include 'AQ1', 'Uneta', and 'Australis'.
Toxicity

Some Phalaris species contain gramine, which can cause brain damage, other organ damage, central nervous system damage and death in sheep.
Leaves and seedlings contain the tryptamine hallucinogens DMT, 5-MeO-DMT and related compounds.[4] A raw, dried plant Phalaris aquatica contains approximately 0.1% DMT, 0.022% 5-MeO-DMT, and 0.005% bufotenin.A particular strain of P. aquatica from Italy, labeled 'AQ-1', was reported to contain in excess of 1.0% alkaloid concentration.

Invasive species

Harding Grass is an invasive species in grassland, oak woodland, and chaparral, and riparian habitats. The California native grasses in rangelands and native grasslands are affected.

Phalaris aquatica

2012-04-06T20:14:53Z

Spicehead:

Phalaris aquatica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phalaris aquatica

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Phalaris
Species: P. aquatica
Binomial name
Phalaris aquatica
L.
Phalaris aquatica, syn. P. tuberosa, known by the common names Bulbous canarygrass and Harding grass, is a species of grass in the genus Phalaris of the Poaceae Family.
Contents
1 Description
2 Toxicity
3 Invasive species
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
Description

It is an erect, waist-high, stout perennial bunch grass with grayish to bluish green leaves. Flowering heads are dense, spike-like, and usually two to five inches long. It is slow to develop from seed, but can form large bunches after several years.
Phalaris arundinacea ('Reed canary grass') differs from Harding grass in having more distinct rhizomes and an inflorescence that is compact at first but later becomes more open as the branches spread.
Hybrids of Harding grass and reed canary grass have been produced. Varieties include 'AQ1', 'Uneta', and 'Australis'.
Toxicity

Some Phalaris species contain gramine, which can cause brain damage, other organ damage, central nervous system damage and death in sheep.
Leaves and seedlings contain the tryptamine hallucinogens DMT, 5-MeO-DMT and related compounds.[4] A raw, dried plant Phalaris aquatica contains approximately 0.1% DMT, 0.022% 5-MeO-DMT, and 0.005% bufotenin.A particular strain of P. aquatica from Italy, labeled 'AQ-1', was reported to contain in excess of 1.0% alkaloid concentration.

Invasive species

Harding Grass is an invasive species in grassland, oak woodland, and chaparral, and riparian habitats. The California native grasses in rangelands and native grasslands are affected.

Phalaris aquatica

2012-04-06T19:59:28Z

Spicehead: Created page with "Phalaris aquatica From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Phalaris aquatica Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots (unranked): Com..."

Phalaris aquatica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phalaris aquatica

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Phalaris
Species: P. aquatica
Binomial name
Phalaris aquatica
L.[1]
Phalaris aquatica, syn. P. tuberosa, known by the common names Bulbous canarygrass and Harding grass, is a species of grass in the genus Phalaris of the Poaceae Family.
Contents [hide]
1 Description
2 Toxicity
3 Invasive species
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
[edit]Description

It is an erect, waist-high, stout perennial bunch grass with grayish to bluish green leaves. Flowering heads are dense, spike-like, and usually two to five inches long. It is slow to develop from seed, but can form large bunches after several years.[2]
Phalaris arundinacea ('Reed canary grass') differs from Harding grass in having more distinct rhizomes and an inflorescence that is compact at first but later becomes more open as the branches spread.
Hybrids of Harding grass and reed canary grass have been produced. Varieties include 'AQ1', 'Uneta', and 'Australis'.
[edit]Toxicity

Some Phalaris species contain gramine, which can cause brain damage, other organ damage, central nervous system damage and death in sheep.[3]
Leaves and seedlings contain the tryptamine hallucinogens DMT, 5-MeO-DMT and related compounds.[4] A raw, dried plant Phalaris aquatica contains approximately 0.1% DMT, 0.022% 5-MeO-DMT, and 0.005% bufotenin.[5] A particular strain of P. aquatica from Italy, labeled 'AQ-1', was reported to contain in excess of 1.0% alkaloid concentration.[6]

Phalaris aquatica Seeds
[edit]Invasive species

Harding Grass is an invasive species in grassland, oak woodland, and chaparral, and riparian habitats. The California native grasses in rangelands and native grasslands are affected.

Anadenanthera falcata

2012-02-19T17:11:11Z

Spicehead: Created page with "Anadenanthera peregrina var. falcata is a timber tree native to Paraguay and Cerrado vegetation in Brazil, specially in Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, and São Pa..."

Anadenanthera peregrina var. falcata is a timber tree native to Paraguay and Cerrado vegetation in Brazil, specially in Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo. This plant is also used as an ornamental and medicinal plant.

Arundo donax

2012-02-11T23:19:42Z

Spicehead: description

Arundo donax
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arundo donax http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Illustration_Arundo_donax0.jpg/250px-Illustration_Arundo_donax0.jpg

Giant Cane (Arundo donax)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Arundinoideae
Tribe: Arundineae
Genus: Arundo
Species: A. donax
Binomial name
Arundo donax
L.
Arundo donax, Giant Cane, is a tall perennial cane growing in damp soils, either fresh or moderately saline. Other common names include Carrizo, Arundo, Spanish cane, Wild cane, and Giant reed.
Arundo donax is native to eastern and southern Asia, and probably also parts of Africa and southern Arabic Peninsula. It has been widely planted and naturalised in the mild temperate, subtropical and tropical regions of both hemispheres (Herrera & Dudley 2003), especially in the Mediterranean, California, the western Pacific and the Caribbean.[1][2] It forms dense stands on disturbed sites, sand dunes, in wetlands and riparian habitats.
Contents
1 Description
2 Biology
3 Genetic background
4 Ecology
4.1 Carbon sequestration
4.2 Management in Riparian Habitats
5 Uses
5.1 Arundo donax as lignocellulosic herbaceous energy crop
5.1.1 Management of Giant reed
5.2 Biofuel
5.3 Chemicals
5.4 Ethnobotany
6 References
6.1 Notes
6.2 General References
7 External links
Description

Arundo donax generally grows to 6 metres (20 ft), in ideal conditions it can exceed 10 metres (33 ft), with hollow stems 2 to 3 centimetres (0.79 to 1.2 in) diameter. The leaves are alternate, 30 to 60 centimetres (12 to 24 in) long and 2 to 6 centimetres (0.79 to 2.4 in) wide with a tapered tip, grey-green, and have a hairy tuft at the base. Overall, it resembles an outsize common reed (Phragmites australis) or a bamboo (Subfamily Bambusoideae).
Arundo donax flowers in late summer, bearing upright, feathery plumes 40 to 60 centimetres (16 to 24 in) long, but the seeds are rarely fertile. Instead, it mostly reproduces vegetatively, by underground rhizomes. The rhizomes are tough and fibrous and form knotty, spreading mats that penetrate deep into the soil up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) deep (Alden et al., 1998; Mackenzie, 2004). Stem and rhizome pieces less than 5 centimetres (2.0 in) long and containing a single node readily sprouted under a variety of conditions (Boose and Holt, 1999). This vegetative growth appears to be well adapted to floods, which may break up individual A. donax clumps, spreading the pieces, which may sprout and colonise further downstream (Mackenzie 2004).

Arundo donax.

Phyllostachys aurea and Arundo donax.

Arundo donax.

Arundo donax.

Arundo donax.
Biology

Arundo donax (L.) is a tall, perennial C3 grass species belongs to the subfamily Arundinoideae of the Poaceae family. The hollow stems, 3 to 5 cm thick, have a cane-like appearance similar to bamboo. Mature stands can reach a height up to 8 m. Stems produced during the first growing season are unbranched and photosynthetic. It is an asexually reproducing species due seed sterility. It needs to be established by vegetative propagation, due to a lack of viable seed production. Underground it produces an extensive network of large, but short rhizomes like bulbs, and fibrous tap roots. In the Mediterranean Area, where a temperate climate is characterized by warm and dry summer and mild winter, giant reed new shoots emerge around March, growing rapidly in June – July and producing stems and leaves. From late July the lower leaves start to dry, depending to seasonal temperature patterns. Crop drying accelerates during autumn when anthesis occurs from the beginning of October to the end of November. In this phonological stage moisture contents fall significantly. In winter-time giant reed stops its growth because of low temperatures and regrowth occurs in the following springtime. In Central Europe giant reed behaves as an annual energy crop for the low soil temperatures and poor freeze tolerance lack of the rhizomes. The base growth temperature reported for giant reed is 7°C,[3] and a maximum cut-off is at 30°C. It has a high photosynthetic capacity, associated with absence of light saturation. Carbon dioxide exchange rates is high compared to other C3 and C4 species. Under natural condition, the maximum CO2 uptake ranged between 19.8 and 36.7 µmol m−2 s−1, depending on irradiance, leaf age, and it is regulated by leaf conductance.[4]
Genetic background

In most areas where giant reed grows (Mediterranean area and US), viable seeds are not produced and it is a positive trait for an energy crop, because the photosynthetic products will be channeled into lignocellulosic biomass and not seed production. On the other hand, sterility is an obstacle for breeding programs which aim to increase the productivity and biomass quality for energy conversion.[5] Asexual reproduction drastically reduces genetic variability. It is reported that sterility of giant reed is as a result of a failure of the megaspore mother cell to divide.[6] A total of 185 clones of A. donax were collected from California to South Carolina and genetically fingerprinted with the SRAP and TE based markers.[7] Giant reed exhibited no molecular genetic variation despite the wide genomic coverage of the markers used in this study. The molecular data strongly point to a single genetic clone of A. donax in the United States, although multiple introductions of this plant into the United States have been documented. Another study was conducted in the Mediterranean area on sampling giant reed from 80 different sites, and a low gene diversity was detected. Results indicate the occurrence of post-meiotic alterations in the ovule and pollen developmental pathway. AFLP data support a monophyletic origin of giant reed and suggest that it originated in Asia and began to spread into the Mediterranean Basin.
Ecology

Giant reed is adapted to a wide variety of ecological conditions. It is distributed across the southern United States from Maryland to California. Grows spontaneously and abundantly from heavy clays to loose sands and gravelly soils, but prefers wet drained soils where it produces monotypic dense stands, very competitive with weeds. In soil contaminated with arsenic, cadmium and lead, giant reed was found to grow rapidly, showing a strong metal-tolerance with a limited metal translocation from roots to shoots.[8] In this study it is underlined that accumulation of As, Cd and Pb in shoots of giant reed is low while metal concentration in roots is high, and the anatomical characteristics of stem tissues are thick and homogeneous according to SEM image. In Pakistan, where the detection of arsenic in ground waters has threatened the use of groundwater as major source of drinking water, a research highlighted the phytoremediation potential of A. donax when grown in hydroponics cultures containing arsenic concentrations up to 1000 µg l−1.[9] Giant reed was able to translocate the metals absorbed into the shoot and to accumulate metals in the stalk and leaves above the root concentration without showing any toxic effects up to As concentration of 600 µg l−1. Besides, the plant is not consumed by animals, and it is a positive quality as an phytoremediation plant.
Carbon sequestration
In addition to providing superior biomass yields with low environmental impact as a most viable source or energy biomass, A. donax also provides some of the most significant below ground carbon sequestration in addition to its above ground up-take due to its rapid growth. Arundo donax can thus provide a superior renewable energy biomass source with added environmental benefits.[citation needed] Energy crops can significantly mitigate Carbon dioxide anthropogenic emissions, partially replacing fossil fuels. It was estimated that 1 ha of energy crop would save approximately 5 Mg of fossil-C.[10] In particular, perennial crops, like giant reed, have the potential to remove Carbon due to minor tillage and soil respiration losses and root biomass. A research was conducted to characterize root size and distribution of giant reed, reliable indicator of the capacity to accumulate Carbon stocks in the soil. A. donax showed highest total root biomass and more proportionally deeper roots compared to others energy crops (switchgrass, miscanthus and sorghum), and it guarantee a longer C turnover. In the some study the authors observed that giant reed maintained an overall high soil moisture levels in the upper layers than other energy crops and a constant water capture capacities along root profile.
An increased environmental concern is the health of soil system as one of the main factor affecting quality and productivity of agroecosystems. Around the world, several regions are subjected to a decline of fertility due to an increasing degradation of soils, loss of orgnanic matter and increasing desertification.[11] Recently a research was carried out to evaluate, in the same pedological and climatic conditions, the impact of three long-term (14 years) agricultural systems, continuous giant reed, natural grassland, and cropping sequence, on the organic-matter characteristics and microbial biomass size in soil.[12] The study pointed out that a long term Giant reed cropping system, characterized by low tillage intensity, positively affect the amount and quality of soil organic matter. Arundo donax showed greater values than tilled management system for total soil organic carbon, light fraction carbon, dissolved organic carbon, and microbial biomass carbon. Regarding the humification parameters, there were noticed any statistically differences between giant reed and a cropping sequence (cereals-legumes cultivated conventionally).
Management in Riparian Habitats
Arundo donax was introduced from the Mediterranean to California in the 1820s for roofing material and erosion control in drainage canals in the Los Angeles area (Bell 1997; Mackenzie 2004). Through spread and subsequent plantings as an ornamental plant, and for use as reeds in woodwind instruments, it has become naturalised throughout warm coastal freshwaters of North America, and its range continues to spread. It has been planted widely through South America and Australasia (Boose and Holt 1999; Bell 1997) and in New Zealand it is listed under the National Pest Plant Accord as an "unwanted organism".[13]
It is among the fastest growing terrestrial plants in the world (nearly 10 centimetres (3.9 in) / day; Dudley, 2000). To present knowledge Arundo does not provide any food sources or nesting habitats for wildlife. This results in resources provided by the crowded-out native plants not being replaced by the Arundo (Bell 1997; Mackenzie 2004). For example, it damages California's riparian ecosystems by outcompeting native species, such as willows, for water. A. donax stems and leaves contain a variety of harmful chemicals, including silica and various alkaloids, which protect it from most insect herbivores and deter wildlife from feeding on it (Bell 1997; Miles et al. 1993; Mackenzie 2004). Grazing animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats may have some effect on it, but are unlikely to be useful in keeping it under control (Dudley 2000).
Arundo donax appears to be highly adapted to fires, which are unusual in native Californian riparian habitats. It is highly flammable throughout the year, and during the drier months of the year (July to October), it can increase the probability, intensity, and spread of wildfires through the riparian environment, changing the communities from flood-defined to fire-defined communities. After fires, A. donax rhizomes can resprout quickly, outgrowing native plants, which can result in large stands of A. donax along riparian corridors (Bell 1997; Scott 1994). Fire events thus push the system further toward mono-specific stands of A. donax.
The experience of a leading energy grass research expert[who?] at a well renowned Southeastern United States University[where?] with test plots of A. donax have provided significantly different results and conclusions as to the potential susceptibility of A. donax to significant fires. The tests show that at least in the Southeastern United States A. donax is not at all susceptible to burning and proves to be difficult to burn while standing in the field, even when dormant in the winter.
A waterside plant community dominated by A. donax may also have reduced canopy shading of the in-stream habitat, which may result in increased water temperatures. This may lead to decreased oxygen concentrations and lower diversity of aquatic animals (Bell 1997).
As the impact of the Arundo donax increased in the environment and native species various efforts have been taken to reduce its population. It has no natural enemy in alien countries and inability to use as a cattle feed due to its poisonous nature made it a tough call. As a biological control herbivores insects has been imported form Mediterranean Europe (Bell, 1997; Miles et al. 1993; Mackenzie 2004, Goolsby 2007), namely Arundo wasp, Tetramesa romana; the Arundo scale, Rhizaspidiotus donacis; and the Arundo fly, Cryptonevra has known to have some effect in damaging the plant. Tetramesa romana and more recently Rhizaspidiotus donacisis were registered in the US as biological control agents.
Other remedies like using mechanical force also been employed since Arundo donax doesn’t reproduce by seeds destroying its root structure can be effective also preventing it getting sunlight will deplete the plant (Mackenzie 2004). Systemic herbicides and Glyphosate were also used as chemical remedies.
When improperly planted in riparian areas with fast moving flood waters, which has been the experience in California and Texas, there is evidence the A. donax can be carried downstream to establish new colonies. However, There is no evidence of invasiveness when properly planted and managed in non-riparian areas. Additionally, there is no documented evidence of any such 'colonization' by Arundo donax anywhere in the Southeastern United States where A. donax has been present in some cases for over 200 years.
Uses

Arundo donax has been cultivated throughout Asia, southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians wrapped their dead in the leaves. The canes contain silica, perhaps the reason for their durability, and have been used to make fishing rods, and walking sticks.[citation needed]
The stem material is both strong and flexible. It is the principal source material for reeds for woodwind instruments such as the oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and saxophone. It is also often used for the chanter and drone reeds of many different forms of bagpipes. Giant reed has been used to make flutes for over 5,000 years. The pan pipes consist of ten or more reed pipes. Its stiff stems are also used as support for climbing plants or for vines.[citation needed]
As Arundo species grow rapidly, their use has been suggested for biomass (see below) for energy and a source of cellulose for paper; at least one North American paper mill was considering planting it for a source of pulp fibre (Samoa Pacific, on Humboldt Bay, California, in 2002), but abandoned the plan by early 2003.[citation needed]
Arundo donax as lignocellulosic herbaceous energy crop
Energy crops are plants which are produced with the express purpose of using their biomass energetically [14] and at the same time reduce carbon dioxide emission. Biofuels derived from lignocellulosic plant material represent an important renewable energy alternative to transportation fossil fuels.[15] Perennial rhizomatous grasses display several positive attributes as energy crops because of their high productivity, low (no) demand for nutrient inputs consequent to the recycling of nutrients by their rhizomes, exceptional soil carbon sequestration - 4X switchgrass, multiple products, adaptation to saline soils and saline water, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Giant reed is one of the most promising crop for energy production for the Mediterranean climate, where it has showed advantages as indigenous crop (already adapted to the environment), durable yields, and resistance to long drought period. Several field studies have highlighted the beneficial effect of giant reed crop on the environment due to its minimal soil tillage, fertilizer and pesticide. Furthermore it offers protection against soil erosion,[16] one of the most important land degradation processes in Mediterranean and US environments. A. donax bioenergy feedstock has an impressive potential for several conversion processes. Dried biomass has a direct combustion high heating value of 8000 BTUs/lb. In Italy, Arundo donax was used in one instance from 1937 to 1962 on a large-scale industrial basis for paper and dissolving pulp. This interest was stimulated primarily by the desire of the dictatorship, just before World War II, to be independent of foreign sources of textile fibers and the desire for an export product.[17] According to historic record made by Snia Viscosa, giant reed was established on 6 300 ha in Torviscosa (Ud), reaching the average annual production of 35 t ha−1.[18] Today several screening studies on energy crops have been carried out by several Universities in US as well as in EU to evaluate and identify best management practices for maximizing biomass yields and assess environmental impacts.
Management of Giant reed
The establishment is a critical point of the cultivation. Stem and rhizome have a great ability to sprout after removal from mother plant and both can be used for clonal propagation. The use of rhizomes were found to be the better propagation way for this species, achieving better survival rate.[19] In this field study, it was noticed how the lowest density (12 500 rhizomes ha−1) resulted in higher and ticker plants compared to denser plantation (25 000 rhizomes ha−1). Seedbed preparation is conducted in the spring, immediately before planting, by a pass with a double-disk harrowing and a pass with a field cultivator. Giant reed has the possibility of adopting low plant density. The rhizomes were planted at 10–20 centimetres (3.9–7.9 in) of soil depth, with a minimum plant density of 10 000 plants per ha), while mature stems, with two or more nodes, can be planted 10–15 centimetres (3.9–5.9 in) deep. In order to ensure good root stand and adequate contact with the soil, sufficient moisture is needed immediately after planting. Pre-plant fertilizer is distributed according to the initial soil fertility, but usually an application of P at a rate of 80–100 kilograms (180–220 lb) ha−1 is applied. A. donax maintain a high productive aptitude without irrigation under semi-arid climate conditions. In South Italy, a trial was carried out testing the yields performance of 39 genotypes, and an average yields of 22.1 t ha−1 dry matter in the second year were reached,[20] a comparable result with others results obtained in Spain (22.5 t ha−1) as well as in South Greece (19.0 t ha−1). Several reports underlined that it is more economical to grow giant reed under moderate irrigation. In order to evaluate different management practices, nitrogen fertilizer and input demand was evaluated in a 6 year field study conducted at the University of Pisa. Fertilisation enhanced the productive capacity in the initial years, but as the years go by and as the radical apparatus progressively deepens, the differences due to fertilisation decrease until disappearing. Harvest time and plant density were found to not affect the biomass yields. Due to its high growth rate and superior resource capture capacity (light, water and nutrients), A. donax is not affected by weed competition from the second year. An application of post-emergence treatment is usually recommended. Giant reed has few known disease or insect pest but in extensive cultivation no pesticides is used. To remove giant reed at the end of crop cycle, there are mainly two methods, mechanical or chemical Jackson 1998 Chemical control of giant reed (Arundo donax) and saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima). An excavator can be useful to bring out on the surface the rhizomes or alternatively a single late-season application of 3% glyphosate onto the foliar mass is efficient and effective with least hazardous to biota.[21] Glyphosate was selected as the most appropriate product after specific considerations on efficacy, environmental safety, soil residual activity, operator safety, application timing, and cost-effectiveness.
Biofuel
Arundo donax is strong candidate for use as a renewable biofuel source because of its fast growth rate, ability to grow in different soil types and climatic conditions. A. donax will produce an average of three kilograms of biomass per square metre (25 tons per acre) once established.[22] The energy density of the biomass produced is 17 MJ/Kg regardless of fertilizer usage.[22]
Studies in the European Union have identified A. donax as the most productive and lowest impact of all energy biomass crops (see FAIR REPORT E.U. 2004).
Arundo donax's ability to grow for 20 to 25 years without replanting is also significant.
In the UK it is considered suitable for planting in and around water areas [23]
Chemicals
Studies have found this plant to be rich in active tryptamine compounds, but there are more indications of the plants in India having these compounds than in the United States.[24] Toxins such as bufotenidine[25] and gramine[24] have also been found.
The dried rhizome with the stem removed has been found to contain 0.0057% DMT, 0.026% bufotenine, 0.0023% 5-MeO-MMT.[24] The flowers are also known to have DMT and the 5-methoxylated N-demethylated analogue, also 5-MeO-NMT. The quite toxic quaternary methylated salt of DMT, bufotenidine,[24] has been found in the flowers, and the cyclic dehydrobufotenidine has been found in the roots.[citation needed] A. donax is also known to release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mainly isoprene.[26]
Ethnobotany
This plant may have been used in combination with Harmal (Peganum harmala) to create a brew similar to the South American ayahuasca, and may trace its roots to the Soma of lore.[27]
References

Notes
^ "Catalogue of Life 2008".
^ http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/datastore/detailreport.cfm?usernumber=8&surveynumber=182 University of California website, Agriculture and Natural Resources
^ Spencer, D.F., Ksander, G.G., 2006. Estimate Arundo donax ramet recruitment using degree-day based equation. Aquat. Bot. 85, 282–288.
^ Rossa B, TuAers AV, Naidoo G, von Willert DJ. 1998. Arundo donax L. (Poaceae)—a C3 species with unusually high photosynthetic capacity. Botanica Acta. 111:216–21.
^ Mariani C., R. Cabrini, A. Danin, P. Piffanelli, A. Fricano, S. Gomarasca, M. Dicandilo, F. Grassi and C. Soave. 2010 Origin, diffusion and reproduction of the giant reed (Arundo donax L.) a promising weedy energy crop. Annals of Applied Biology. 157: 191–202.
^ Bhanwra R.K., Choda S.P., Kumar S. 1982. Comparative embryology of some grasses. Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, 48, 152–162.
^ Ahmad R., Liow P.S., Spencer D.F., Jasieniuk M. 2008. Molecular evidence for a single genetic clone of invasive Arundo donax in the United States. Aquatic Botany. 88: 113–120.
^ Guo, Z.H., and Miao, X.F., 2010. Growth changes and tissues anatomical characteristics of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) in soil contaminated with arsenic, cadmium and lead. J. Cent. South Univ. Technol. 17:770−777.
^ Mirza, N., Mahmood, Q., Pervez, A., Ahmad, R., Farooq, R., Shah, M.M., Azim, M.R. 2010. Phytoremediation potential of Arundo donax in arsenic-contaminated synthetic wastewater. Bioresour Technol. 101:5815-9.
^ Graham, R.L., Wright, L.L., Turhollow, A.F., 1992. The potential for short-rotation woody crops to reduce U.S. CO2 emissions. Climatic Change 22, 223–238.
^ Albaladejo, J., and E. Dı´az. 1990. Degradation and regeneration of the soil in a Mediterranean Spanish coast line: Trials in Lucdeme project (Degradacion y regeneracion del suelo en el. litoral mediterraneo espanol: experiencias en el proyecto Lucdeme). In Soil degradation and rehabilitation in Mediterranean environmental conditions, ed. J. Albaladejo et al., 191–214. Madrid: CSIC.
^ Riffaldi, R., Saviozzi, A., Cardelli, A., Bulleri, F., and Angelini, L. 2010. Comparison of Soil Organic-Matter Characteristics under the Energy Crop Giant Reed, Cropping Sequence and Natural Grass. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 41:173–180.
^ "Giant reed". Biosecurity New Zealand. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
^ Lewandowski I, Scurlock JMO, Lindvall E, Christou M. 2003. The development and current status of perennial rhizomatous grasses as energy crops in the US and Europe. Biomass and Bioenergy. 25:335–61.
^ Sanderson K. 2006. US biofuels: A field in ferment. Nature 444: 673-676.
^ Heaton, E., Voigt, T., and Long, S.P. 2004. A quantitative review comparing the yields of two candidate C4 perennial biomass crops in relation to nitrogen, temperature and water. Biomass and Bioenergy. 27:21–30.
^ Perdue RE (1958). Arundo donax – source of musical reeds and industrial cellulose. Economic Botany 12: 368-404.
^ Facchini 1941 La canna gentile per la produzione della cellulosa nobile. L’impresa agricolo-industriale di Torviscosa
^ Christou M, Mardikis M, Alexopoulou E. 2000. Propagation material and plant density effects on the Arundo donax yields. In: Biomass for energy and industry: proceeding of the First World Conference, Sevilla, Spain, June 5–9, 2000. p. 1622–8.
^ Cosentino et al. 2006 First results on evaluation of Arundo donax (L.) clones collected in Southern Italy
^ Spencer, D.F., Tan,W., Liow,P., Ksander,G., Whitehand,L.C., Weaver,S., Olson,J., Newhauser, M.,2008.Evaluation of glyphosate for managing giant reed (Arundo donax). InvasivePlantSci.Manage.1,248–254.
^ a b Angelini, L.G., Ceccarinia, L., and Bonarib E.; European Journal of Agronomy, 22, 2005, pp 375-389
^ BS 7370-5 Recommendations for maintenance of water areas
^ a b c d Erowid Arundo Donax Info Page 1
^ Erowid Arundo Donax Info Page 3
^ Owen, S.M., Boissard, C., and Hewitt, C. N. Atmospheric Environment, 35, 2001, pp 5393–5409
^ S. Ghosal, S. K. Dutta, A. K. Sanyal, and Bhattacharya, "Arundo donex L. (Graminae), Phytochemical and Pharmacological Evaluation," in the Journal of Medical Chemistry, vol. 12 (1969), p. 480.]
General References
Alden, P., F. Heath, A. Leventer, R. Keen, W. B. Zomfler, eds. 1998. National Audubon Society Field Guide to California. Knopf, New York.
Bell, G. P. 1997. Ecology and Management of Arundo donax, and approaches to riparian habitat restoration in southern California. In Plant Invasions: Studies from North America and Europe, eds. J. H. Brock, M. Wade, P. Pysêk, and D. Green. pp. 103–113. Backhuys, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Boose, A. B., and J. S. Holt. 1999. Environmental effects on asexual reproduction in Arundo donax. Weeds Research 39: 117-127.
Dudley, T. L. 2000. Noxious wildland weeds of California: Arundo donax. In: Invasive plants of California's wildlands. C. Bossard, J. Randall, & M. Hoshovsky (eds.).
Herrera, A., and T. L. Dudley. 2003. Invertebrate community reduction in response to Arundo donax invasion at Sonoma Creek. Biol.Invas 5:167-177.
Mackenzie, A. 2004. Giant Reed. In: The Weed Workers' Handbook. C. Harrington and A. Hayes (eds.) www.cal-ipc.org/file_library/19646.pdf
Miles, D. H., K. Tunsuwan, V. Chittawong, U. Kokpol, M. I. Choudhary, and J. Clardy. 1993. Boll weevil antifeedants from Arundo donax. Phytochemistry 34: 1277-1279.
Perdue, R. E. 1958. Arundo donax – source of musical reeds and industrial cellulose. Economic Botany 12: 368-404.
Scott, G. 1994. Fire threat from Arundo donax. pp. 17–18 in: November 1993 Arundo donax workshop proceedings, Jackson, N.E. P. Frandsen, S. Douthit (eds.). Ontario, CA.
Tu, M., C. Hurd, and J. M. Randall. 2001. Weed Control Methods Handbook: Tools and Techniques for Use in Natural Areas. The Nature Conservancy.
Excerpted from Chapter 15 of TIHKAL, 1997
External links

Project on influence of Arundo donax in California
Arundo as an invasive species in California
The Nature Conservancy: Arundo donax Info
The Nature Conservancy Weed Control Methods Handbook
Images of Arundo Donax
Arundo donax (Plants for a Future Databases)
Arundo donax Info (USDA Forest Service)
The Power in Plants: Biofuels and the Giant Cane Debate (UNC News21: Powering A Nation)
More info on Giant Reed from the Center for Invasive Species Research
Species Profile- Giant Reed (Arundo donax), National Invasive Species Information Center, United States National Agricultural Library. Lists general information and resources for Giant Reed.
KCET Departures slidshow of the Arundo Donax Giant Cane

Amanita tomentella

2012-02-11T23:13:28Z

Spicehead: description

Amanita tomentella Krombh.
Family: Amanitaceae

Amanita rubescens

2012-02-11T22:22:18Z

Spicehead: description

Amanita rubescens

[ Basidiomycetes > Agaricales > Amanitaceae > Amanita . . . ]

by Michael Kuo

This beautiful amanita is widely distributed and common in eastern North America. It can be distinguished by its indistinct stem base (which lacks a prominent sacklike covering or rim), its dull yellowish to dull brownish cap, and its tendency to discolor pinkish red to rose; it is sometimes called the "Blusher." Another common "blushing" Amanita species in the east, Amanita flavorubescens, has yellow, rather than grayish, warts and volva remnants (as well as a brighter yellow cap surface). Amanita rubescens var. alba has a whitish cap. The western version of Amanita rubescens is Amanita novinupta.

Strictly speaking, the "Amanita rubescens" of North American authors may not be the same mushroom as the "true" Amanita rubescens, from Europe. Amanita expert Rod Tulloss has identified at least a dozen distinct blushers world-wide (see Tulloss's key to these amanitas), and notes that the mushroom labeled Amanita rubescens on our continent differs in several macro- and microscopic features.

To see what happens when Amanita rubescens is attacked by aliens from outer space, see Hypomyces hyalinus.

Description:

Ecology: Mycorrhizal with conifers and hardwoods, but especially fond of oaks; throughout summer and fall; probably limited to eastern North America (see comments below).

Cap: 4-12 cm; convex to broadly convex or flat in age; dry or slightly sticky; with yellow warts when young, but the warts soon fading to pinkish, grayish or dull tan; surface pale to brownish when young, becoming flushed with red shades, and eventually reddish brown to tan to brown; margin typically not lined.

Gills: Attached or free from the stem; white, sometimes discoloring reddish; close.

Stem: 5-14 cm long; 1.5-3 cm thick; more or less equal, sometimes slightly enlarged toward base; the base indistinct to bulbous; generally without volval remnants (but perhaps with indistinct volval scales or zones); without a rim; white becoming stained pinkish to dirty red; smooth to finely hairy; with a fragile superior ring that typically persists into maturity.

Flesh: White throughout, discoloring slowly pale pinkish red, especially around worm holes.

Spore Print: White.

Chemical Reactions: KOH on cap surface negative.

Microscopic Features: Spores 7.5-10.5 x 5-7µ; smooth; elliptical; amyloid.

REFERENCES: Persoon, 1797. (Fries, 1821; Saccardo, 1887; Kauffman, 1918; Smith, 1949; Smith, Smith & Weber, 1979; Weber & Smith, 1985; Arora, 1986, Jenkins, 1986; Phillips, 1991/2005; Lincoff, 1992; Metzler & Metzler, 1992; Tulloss & Lindgren, 1994; Tulloss et al., 1995; Barron, 1999; Roody, 2003; McNeil, 2006; Miller & Miller, 2006.) Herb. Kuo 06239502, 08300211, 07070711.

Further Online Information:

Amanita rubescens at Tulloss's Studies in Amanita
Amanita rubescens at Roger's Mushrooms
Amanita rubescens at Fungi of Poland[http://www.mushroomexpert.com/images/nadon/nadon_amanita_rubescens_thumb.jpg]

Amanita porphyria

2012-02-11T22:20:10Z

Spicehead: description

Amanita porphyria

[ Basidiomycetes > Agaricales > Amanitaceae > Amanita . . . ][http://www.mushroomexpert.com/images/kaminski/kaminski_amanita_porphyria_thumb.jpg[http://www.mushroomexpert.com/images/nadon/nadon_amanita_porphyria_thumb.jpg]]

by Michael Kuo

This northern conifer lover is distinguished by its bulbous, rimmed or collared stem base, its brown cap, and its grayish universal veil remnants and ring. The stem often has grayish fibrils, sometimes in vague zones, below the ring. Amanita porphyria bears a resemblance to Amanita brunnescens, but that species has whitish veils, and a stem that bruises reddish brown, terminating in a bulb that is "chiseled" or split vertically (though Amanita porphyria sometimes displays a cleft bulb, as well).

Description:

Ecology: Mycorrhizal with conifers, especially spruces and hemlocks (possibly also associated with hardwoods); growing alone, scattered, or gregariously; summer and fall; northern in distribution, recorded from northeastern North America and the Pacific Northwest.

Cap: 3-12 cm; convex, becoming broadly convex, often with a central hump; sticky at first or when wet; smooth; the margin not prominently lined; grayish brown to brown (see note below); often with scattered gray warts or patches.

Gills: Free from the stem or attached to it; white, sometimes grayish or bruising grayish in age; close.

Stem: 5-18 cm long; 1-1.5 cm thick; more or less equal above; terminating in a basal bulb that is rimmed or collared (and sometimes "cleft," causing confusion with Amanita brunnescens); with a grayish ring and gray fibrils below the ring, often arranged in vague zones (see top illustration); smooth above the ring; the grayish volva sometimes leaving fragments on the lower stem.

Flesh: White throughout.

Odor: Sometimes turniplike in age.

Spore Print: White.

Microscopic Features: Spores 8-10 x 7.5-9 µ; smooth; nearly round; amyloid.

REFERENCES: Albertini & Schweinitz, 1805. (Fries, 1821; Saccardo, 1887; Kauffman, 1918; Smith, Smith & Weber, 1979; Thiers, 1982; Arora, 1986; Jenkins, 1986; Phillips, 1991/2005; Lincoff, 1992; Barron, 1999; Roody, 2003; Tulloss, 2003; McNeil, 2006; Miller & Miller, 2006.) I have not collected this mushroom.

The European Amanita porphyria is brownish to grayish brown, but also demonstrates subtle purplish hues (see the link to a Polish example, below). North American authors frequently mention the lilac to purplish cast of the cap, but their illustrations tend to depict mushrooms that are simply brown or grayish brown--and other authors appear to believe that North American versions of Amanita porphyria lack the purple tones.

Further Online Information:

Amanita porphyria at Tulloss's Studies in Amanita
Amanita porphyria at Roger's Mushrooms
Amanita porphyria at Fungi of Poland

Amanita pantherina

2012-02-11T22:17:20Z

Spicehead: description

Amanita pantherina var. pantherina[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Amanita_pantherina_1.JPG/235px-Amanita_pantherina_1.JPG]
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
European Panther

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Subclass: Hymenomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Amanitaceae
Genus: Amanita
Species: A. pantherina var. pantherina
Binomial name
Amanita pantherina var. pantherina
(DC. ex Fr.) Krombh.
Amanita pantherina var. pantherina
Mycological characteristics
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/11/Gills_icon.png/32px-Gills_icon.png] gills on hymenium
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Flat_cap_icon.svg/32px-Flat_cap_icon.svg.png] cap is flat
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Free_gills_icon2.svg/32px-Free_gills_icon2.svg.png] hymenium is free
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Ring_and_volva_stipe_icon.svg/32px-Ring_and_volva_stipe_icon.svg.png] stipe has a ring and volva
[http://www.example.com link title] spore print is white
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/Mycorrhizal_fungus.svg/32px-Mycorrhizal_fungus.svg.png] ecology is mycorrhizal

[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/Mycomorphbox_Poison.png/32px-Mycomorphbox_Poison.png][http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Mycomorphbox_Psychoactive.png/32px-Mycomorphbox_Psychoactive.png]edibility: poisonous
or psychoactive
Amanita pantherina var. pantherina, also known as the Panther cap and False Blusher due to its similarity to the true Blusher (Amanita rubescens), is a species of Europe and western Asia.
Contents
1 Description
2 Habitat and distribution
3 Biochemistry
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
Description

Cap: 4 – 11 cm wide, Hemispheric at first, then convex to plano-convex, deep brown to hazel-brown to pale ochraceous brown, densely distributed warts that are pure white to sordid cream, minutely verruculose, floccose, easily removable. Viscid when wet, with a short striate margin, The flesh is white, unchanging when injured.
Gills: free, close to crowded, white becoming grayish, truncate.
Spores: white in deposit, broadly ellipsoid to ellipsoid to elongate, infrequently globose. 8 — 12 × 5.5 — 8 µm.
Stipe: 5 – 14 cm long × .6 – 2 cm wide, subcyclindric, somewhat narrowing upward, white, becoming slightly tannish in age, stuffed then hollow, finely floccose becoming smooth above the ring, and with small appressed squamules or creamy floccose material below. The volva is white, becoming gray with age, forming one or sometimes two narrow hoop-like rings just above the bulbous base. The flesh is white, unchanging when injured.
Odor: Unpleasant or like raw potatoes
Microscopic features: Spores are 8-14 x 6-10 µ, smooth, elliptical and inamyloid.[1]
Other than the brownish cap with white warts, distinguishing features of Amanita pantherina include the collar-like roll of volval tissue at the top of the basal bulb, and the elliptical, inamyloid spores.
Habitat and distribution

The panther cap is an uncommon mushroom, found in both deciduous, especially beech and, less frequently, coniferous woodland and rarely meadows throughout Europe, western Asia in late summer and autumn.[2] It has also been recorded from South Africa, where it is thought to have been accidentally introduced with trees imported from Europe.[3]
It is an ectomycorrhizal fungus, living in root symbiosis with a tree, deriving photosynthesised nutrients from it and providing soil nutrients in return.
Biochemistry
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Ibotenic_acid2.png/140px-Ibotenic_acid2.png

Ibotenic acid

Muscimol
The European Panther contains the deliriant compounds ibotenic acid and muscimol,[4] but is used as an entheogen much less often than the related Amanita muscaria because of the extremely high levels of these compounds found in the mushroom. It also contains some alkaloids,[5] though these are in non-deadly concentrations.[6] They are however sometimes dried or cooked at a low temperature and ingested.[7][8]

Fungi portal
List of Amanita species
References

^ Kuo, M. (2005, March). Amanita pantherina. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/amanita_pantherina.html
^ Jordan P & Wheeler S (2001). The Ultimate Mushroom Book. Hermes House.
^ Reid DA, Eicker A (1991). "South African fungi: the genus Amanita" (PDF). Mycological Research 95: 80–95. doi:10.1016/S0953-7562(09)81364-6. Retrieved 2007-11-13.
^ Barceloux D. G. (2008). "41 (Isoxazole-containing mushrooms and pantherina syndrome)" (PDF). Medical toxicology of natural substances: foods, fungi, medicinal herbs, plants, and venomous animals. Canada: John Wiley and Sons Inc.. pp. 298. ISBN 978-0-471-72761-3.
^ Brady L. R., Tyler V. E. (1959). "Alkaloidal fraction of Amanita pantherina" (PDF). Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (American Pharmaceutical Association) 48: 417.
^ http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Amanita_pantherina.html By Michael Wood & Fred Stevens
^ North, Pamela (1967). Poisonous Plants and Fungi in colour. Blandford Press & Pharmacological Society of Great Britain. pp. 114.
^ Aminita muscaria, Amanita pantherina and others by IPCS INCHEM http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/fungi/pimg026.htm#SectionTitle:7.2%20%20Toxicity
External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Amanita pantherina
MushroomHobby -- Amanita pantherina in California and beyond...
http://home.wanadoo.nl/abiemans/e_ama_pant.html
http://www.amanitaceae.org/?Amanita+pantherina+var.+pantherina

Amanita muscaria

2012-02-11T22:01:49Z

Spicehead: description

Plate I.

Russula virescens Fries. "The Verdette" or "Greenish Russula."

Edible.

The cap of this species is fleshy and dry, the skin breaking into thin patches. The margin is usually even, but specimens occur which show striations. The color varies from a light green to a grayish or moldy green, sometimes tinged with yellow; gills white, free from the stem or nearly so, unequal, rather crowded; stem white, stout, solid, smooth, at first hard, then spongy; spores white, nearly globose.

One writer speaks of the "warts" of the cap, but the term warts, used in this connection, refers merely to the patches resulting from the splitting or breaking up of the epidermis of the cap, and not to such excrescences called warts, as are commonly observed on the cap of Amanita muscaria, for instance, which are remnants of the volva.[http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32982/32982-h/images/plate01full.jpg]

Amanita citrina

2012-02-11T21:58:46Z

Spicehead: presence

Mushrooms
Bufotenin is also allegedly found in several species of Amanita mushrooms, including Amanita muscaria, Amanita citrina, and Amanita porphyria, though this is widely disputed and likely untrue.[4]

Chilton WS, Bigwood J, Jensen RE (1979). "Psilocin, bufotenine and serotonin: historical and biosynthetic observations". J Psychedelic Drugs. 11 (1–2): 61–9. PMID 392119.

Plate XV.

Fig. 9.—Ag. (Amanita) mappa (Amanita mappa) Linn., Amanita citrina, A. virosa.

Poisonous.

Cap at first convex, then expanded, dry, without a separable cuticle, not warty but showing white, yellowish, or brownish scales or patches on its upper surface; gills white, adnexed; flesh white, sometimes slightly yellowish under the skin; stem stuffed, then hollow, cylindrical, yellowish white, nearly smooth, with a distinctly bulbous base; volva white or brownish. Odor pleasant. Spores spheroidal. The cap in this species is somewhat variable in color, but those having a white cap are most common. The plant is not so tall as those of the species phalloides. It is solitary in habit, and is found usually in open woods.

Curtis and Lowerby figure mappa and phalloides under the same name.[http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32982/32982-h/images/plate15full.jpg]