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Glite Dictionary
Lepiota rhacodes

Lepiota rhacodes

9.9
A large brown mushroom with shaggy scales and a thick stalk
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Lepiota rhacodes
  • The Lepiota rhacodes, commonly known as the shaggy parasol, is easy to identify by its large brown cap and thick stalk.

Examples

  • The Lepiota rhacodes grows in shaded woodland areas during late summer and autumn.

  • We found a cluster of Lepiota rhacodes while foraging in the forest.

  • Care should be taken, as some people may have allergic reactions to the Lepiota rhacodes.

  • The Lepiota rhacodes has a distinct brown cap.

  • Have you ever seen a Lepiota rhacodes in the wild?

  • While hiking in the woods, we spotted several Lepiota rhacodes among the fallen leaves.

  • Many mycologists recommend studying the Lepiota rhacodes due to its unique features and habitat preferences.

Surface Forms

Lepiota rhacodes singular
Lepiota rhacodes plural

Morphology

lepiota + rhacodes

This is a Latin binomial: 'Lepiota' names a genus of fungi, so a learner who recognizes that component can infer it denotes a type of mushroom, but 'rhacodes' is not a common English word (dictionary entry missing) and does not transparently convey the species' specific features. Because the genus component gives a partial, predictable cue (a kind of fungus) but the full descriptive meaning (shaggy parasol, brown-capped) cannot be derived from the parts, the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Lepiota rhacodes may come from old Greek words: Lepiota meaning 'scale' and rhacodes meaning 'ragged', because the mushroom has a scaly, shaggy cap and a thick stalk. That's why people call it the 'shaggy parasol' and why the name describes how it looks.