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Olive Green Molds
1 species
A genus of cellulose-decomposing ascomycetes (Chaetomiaceae, Sordariales), with roughly 80-100 species, that form small, hairy, flask-shaped perithecia. They are common in soil, plant debris and water-damaged buildings, and several produce potent mycotoxins. In Agaricus cultivation, Chaetomium causes olive green mold, a sign of compost that still holds ammonia after Phase II pasteurization.
Mycelium: grayish white and fluffy, easily mistaken for mushroom mycelium at first. Perithecia: pinhead-sized, olive green pustules that darken with age, covered in hairs. Ascospores: dark, lemon-shaped, held together by mucilage and hairs, so few become airborne until the colony dries out or is disturbed. In compost: affected areas turn black and smell musty.
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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 Entries are compiled from cited sources and reviewed, but may be incomplete or out of date — check the sources, and never rely on this library alone to identify or eat a mushroom.
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