Gymnopilus junonius was first described by Swedish mycologist Elia Magnus Fries in 1821; this famous mycologist called it Agaricus junonius. This was not uncommon as most gilled fungi were first called Agaricus. Gymnopilus junonius was given its new name in 1960 by the British mycologist Peter Darbishire Orton. The prefix Gymn- in Gymnopilus means naked and -pilus means cap, and as expected, Gymnopilus junonius has a naked or bald cap. Gymnopilus junonius is more commonly known as Spectacular Rustgill and Laughing Gym. Gymnopilus junonius was previously known as Gymnopilus spectabilis and may also be referred to as Big Laughing Gym. Some still report that these are distinct mushrooms; however, a paper issued in 2020 alludes to the fact they are one of the same [1.].
The epithet Junonius is in reference to Juno, a Roman Goddess. Juno was the wife and the sister of Jupiter and the daughter of Saturn. She was considered beautiful and a warrior-like woman matched by her statuesque presence.
This mushroom may look tasty, but it must not be eaten. That being said, Gymnopilus junonius is considered in some cultures to induce spiritually enhancing experiences and hallucinations. It is widely agreed that in the case of Gymnopilus junonius, it is more likely to make you sick before it leads to hallucinations and feelings of euphoria.
The psychoactive compound that induces hallucinations in these types of mushrooms is psilocybin; however, the levels of any psychoactive compounds in Gymnopilus junonius are variable and even maybe regionally dependent. It is important to note that Gymnopilus junonius is considered very poisonous; this may be due to the presence of neurotoxins, gymnopilins, in the fruiting body of the mushroom.
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Gymnopilus junonius Identification and Description
Cap: Large from 4 to 20cm in diameter. Specimens of around 30cm have been reported. Convex to nearly plane with age. Cap color is not the same across all; sometimes gold; may be a deep orange or red-brown in older specimens. Surface is dry with tiny brown scales. Yellow flesh, solid.
Gills: Crowded and attached gills. Narrow to quite broad. Pale yellow or angish-brown.
Stem: Thick and strong; club-like shape. Up to 27cm tall; 1 to 4 cm thick. Same color as the cap. Thick and yellow flesh. Ringed stem. Partial veil may be present. Covered in tiny fibers.
Smell: Anise.
Taste: If chew the cap and spit it out, it is bitter.
Spores: Oval or elliptical; wrinkled.
Spore color: Rusty brown.
Edibility: Inedible. Poisonous.
Habitat: Wood rotting (saprobic) so important for the decomposition of wood, returning the nutrients back to the soil. Grows at the base of dead broad-leaved trees; on ground or buried wood; sometimes conifers. Solitary of found in small yet dense groups in moist areas; frequently lowlands by rivers. Spring to early Winter depending on location; in Southern Europe found in January still fruiting. Quite commons, found in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa, and North and South America.
Scientific classification: Class: Agaricomycetes; Order: Agaricales; Family: Cortinariaceae; Genus: Gymnopilus and Binomial name: Gymnopilus junonius (Fr.) P.D.Orton (1960).
Gymnopilus junonius Look-Alikes
Phaeolepiota aurea is similar to Gymnopilus junonius, but it is also quite rare. The spores are a light yellow or brown compared to the rusty brown spores of Gymnopilus junonius.
Gymnopilus penetrans is also similar, but compared to Gymnopilus junonius it is a yellow brown color, smaller in size, and the stem ring is absent. Gymnopilus penetrans is more likely to be found on the stumps or conifers, although otherwise similar habitat.
Honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea) can look similar to Gymnopilus junonius , but this mushroom is ringless, and the spore print is white, unlike Gymnopilus junonius which has a ringed stem and rusty orange spores.
Gymnopilus junonius Benefits
Despite a growing body of evidence that some psychoactive compounds may prove beneficial as therapeutics in medicine, there are no reported benefits for the consumption of Gymnopilus junonius.
Gymnopilus junonius Dosage
Gymnopilus junonius is poisonous. There are reports that it may be mildly hallucinogenic, but the volume of mushroom required to reach sufficient amounts to produce effects are more likely to make you sick before the effect is reached. Gymnopilus junonius is very bitter in taste and, therefore, is not considered pleasant to eat.
Gymnopilus junonius Toxicity, Safety & Side Effects
Gymnopilus junonius is widely distributed in Japan and well known for being a hallucinogenic mushroom. The neurotoxin gymnopilin has been isolated from the mushroom in a number of studies originating in Japan to identify its mechanism of action. Whilst gymnopilin is thought to underlie its toxicity, ‘the how’ is still under investigation. Toxicology reports indicate that because this mushroom is poisonous, immediate medical help should be sought if accidentally eaten. The indications are that most patients will require short periods of medical observations, and symptoms may be treated until the acute effects are resolved again. More severe reactions include repeated seizures, restriction of blood to the heart that can lead to a heart attack, hypothermia, and damage to the muscles due to breakdown of the tissue.
Due to the toxicity of Gymnopilus junonius, it is essential to correctly identify the mushroom to avoid consuming inadvertently. Seek advice from a professional mycologist if in any doubt before eating.
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