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Red Cheese Molds, Lipstick Mold
1 species
A genus of Gymnoascaceae (Onygenales) typified by S. casei, the red mold of cheese. Its species form chains of dry, thick-walled arthroconidia. Growers know it as lipstick mold, S. purpurascens, which turns from white to cherry red and then dull orange in Agaricus compost and casing.
Colonies: white and crystalline at first, then pink to cherry red with maturing spores, finally dull orange or buff. Spores: arthroconidia formed by fragmentation of hyphae, in chains.
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Mycology is an evolving science: names, classifications and safety information change as research advances. Entries are compiled from cited sources and reviewed, but may be incomplete or out of date — check the sources, and never rely on this library alone to identify or eat a mushroom.
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