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Laughing gym

Gymnopilus junonius

A species of Rustgills, Also known as Big laughing jim, Laughing Jim

Found in many countries around the northern hemisphere, the laughing gym grows on stumps of deciduous trees, and occasionally under conifers. This mushroom is large, firm, and colorful, and appears in small groups. Its scientific name, Gymnopilus junonius, means “naked cap sacred to Juno,” a reference to its distinctive and beautiful appearance. This mushroom is inedible and possibly toxic.

Cap Diameter:

5 - 25 cm

Odor:

Mildly mushroomy, faintly fruity when cut.

General Info About Laughing gym

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Attributes of Laughing gym

Cap Diameter

5 - 25 cm

Height

10 - 20 cm

Cap

Cap 5 - 26 cm across; convex to flat, shallowly umbonate; bright ocher, rusty orange; with finely scaly-fibrous

Cap Shape

Convex, Flat, Central Bump

Cap Surfaces

Fibrillose-scaly

Gills

Attached; close; pale yellowish to rusty

Gill Attachment

Attached

Stem

Stem 9 - 16 cm long, 1.5 - 3 cm thick; dull yellow to brownish orange; smooth to fibrous; turns brown when bruised

Stem Shapes

Club Shaped

Stem Surfaces

Fibrillose

Flesh

Thick; firm; orangish yellow; unchanging when sliced

Ring

On the stem; thin; orange

Ring

With Ring

Spore Print Color

Rusty brown

Odor

Mildly mushroomy, faintly fruity when cut.

Body Color

Brown

Yellow

Orange

Flesh Bruises

The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.

Growth Form

Gregarious, Clustered

Nutrient Gathering

Saprophytic

Substrate

Dead Woods, Wood of Living Trees

Occurence Habitats

Deciduous Woodland, Coniferous Woodland, Mixed Woodland

Species Status

Widely distributed

Endangered Species

How to Identify Laughing gym

Fruiting Body Cap Gills

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Habitat of Laughing gym

The laughing gym is a woodland mushroom, mostly associated with deciduous trees, and rarely with conifers. It grows in clusters on stumps and prefers the soil with a large amount of rotting wood.

Distribution Area of Laughing gym

North America,Europe,North Africa,Asia,Aistralia,New Zealand

Uses of Laughing gym

Laughing gym is known for its hallucinogenic properties due to psychoactive compounds. It's not widely popular for culinary use and carries legal and safety risks. Its collection is mainly of interest to mycologists and those studying psychoactive substances. Users must exercise extreme caution, as its consumption can be illegal and pose serious health risks.

Scientific Classification of Laughing gym

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Gilled fungi

Family

Hymenogastraceae

Genus

Rustgills

Similar Species to Laughing gym

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Golden bootleg

Similar Species

Laughing gym

How to Differentiate Between Golden bootleg and Laughing gym?

Laughing gym: Typically grows on wood, such as stumps or logs.

Golden bootleg: Usually found growing on the ground in rich soil.

Laughing gym: A ring is typically absent or very ephemeral.

Golden bootleg: A prominent, thick ring is usually present.

Jack-o'lantern mushroom

Similar Species

Laughing gym

Confusing Aspects of Jack-o'lantern mushroom and Laughing gym?

Laughing gym and Jack-o'lantern mushroom share similar orange colors and growing patterns on wood, making them easy to confuse.

How to Differentiate Between Jack-o'lantern mushroom and Laughing gym?

Laughing gym: Does not exhibit bioluminescence.

Jack-o'lantern mushroom: Exhibits a greenish glow in the dark.

Laughing gym: Gills are broadly attached.

Jack-o'lantern mushroom: Gills are decurrent, extending slightly down the stem.

Laughing gym: Spore print is rusty brown.

Jack-o'lantern mushroom: Spore print is white to cream.

Scaly rustgill

Similar Species

Laughing gym

How to Differentiate Between Scaly rustgill and Laughing gym?

Laughing gym: Has a thicker and sturdier stem.

Scaly rustgill: Stem is thinner and more fibrous.

Tips for Finding Laughing gym

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When is the Best Time to Find Laughing gym

Search for laughing gym in late summer through to early winter, post rainfall when temperatures are mild. Make the most during moist conditions but before the first heavy frost sets in.

What are Some Tips for Finding Laughing gym

Examine clusters of mushrooms growing on rotting wood within deciduous and coniferous forests.
Check around the base of living trees, as well as on stumps and logs for laughing gym.
Search for laughing gym in areas with plenty of decomposing wood, such as wooded trails or cleared areas within forests.
Look at the color and size of mushroom clusters, noting laughing gym's distinctive appearance.
Return to previously successful spots as laughing gym can reappear in the same locations.

How to Clean and Preserve Laughing gym

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How to Clean Laughing gym

To clean laughing gym, gently agitate them in a large bowl of water until debris separates and sinks. Promptly remove laughing gym, careful not to soak, and pat dry.

Tips on Dry Preservation of Laughing gym

Drying Methods

Dehydrator Drying, Oven Drying, Air Drying

Drying Duration

6 - 12 months

Store in a cool, dark, dry place with airtight containers to minimize moisture and prevent spoilage.

Dehydrator drying: This method provides consistent heat and air flow, suitable for evenly drying high-moisture mushrooms.

Oven drying: The use of an oven with controlled low temperature can efficiently dehydrate while preserving quality.

Air drying: Utilizing well-ventilated spaces and thin mushroom slices allows for gradual moisture removal without equipment.

Common Questions People Also Ask

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Is the laughing gym poisonous?

Can you eat laughing gym?

Do laughing gym bruise blue?

Where can I find laughing gym?

More Mushrooms That Are Similar to Laughing gym

Jumbo gym

Gymnopilus ventricosus

Golden bootleg

Phaeolepiota aurea