Clitocybe dealbata

9.9

A small white mushroom that grows in grass and is poisonous

noun

Specialized

: Clitocybe dealbata

The pale, dry cap of Clitocybe dealbata can be mistaken for edible mushrooms by the untrained eye.

Examples

Children should be taught to avoid picking Clitocybe dealbata, as it is dangerously poisonous.
Experts warn that Clitocybe dealbata often grows in lawns and meadows across Europe.
The Clitocybe dealbata is often mistaken for edible mushrooms.
Many people are unaware that Clitocybe dealbata is highly toxic.
It is crucial to recognize that Clitocybe dealbata can cause severe illness if ingested.
The toxic nature of Clitocybe dealbata makes it essential for foragers to learn about its appearance.
Park rangers provide information about Clitocybe dealbata to ensure that visitors do not accidentally consume this poisonous mushroom.

Surface Forms

Clitocybe dealbata singular

Clitocybe dealbatas plural

Morphology

Clitocybe + dealbata

This is a Latin binomial (a lexicalized scientific name) rather than a compositional English phrase; a B1 learner who knows the gloss 'Clitocybe' as a type of fungus still cannot infer the species meaning or toxicity because 'dealbata' is not an English word and gives no predictable cue. Species epithets and taxonomic names are language-specific labels rather than transparent combinations of common words, so the meaning is not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Clitocybe dealbata names a small mushroom with a pale, dry cap that often grows in lawns and meadows. Picture a tiny white cap in the grass that looks 'edible' but is actually 'poisonous', so remember it as the pale mushroom to avoid.