Gyromitra


Gyromitra is a genus of about 18 species of ascomycete fungi. They are a false morel - a frequently toxic mushroom that can be mistaken for edible mushrooms of the genus Morchella.

Taxonomy

The name Gyromitra comes from gyro meaning convoluted and mitra meaning turban.
Analysis of the ribosomal DNA of many of the Pezizales showed the genus Gyromitra to be most closely related to the genus Discina, and also Pseudorhizina, Hydnotrya, and only distantly related to Helvella. Thus the four genera are now included in the family Discinaceae.

Species

The genus consists of the following species:
  • Gyromitra accumbens Harmaja
  • Gyromitra apiculatula Berthet
  • Gyromitra arctica Vassilkov
  • Gyromitra bubakii Velen.
  • Gyromitra californica Raitv.
  • Gyromitra chirripoensis L.D. Gómez
  • Gyromitra columbiana Harmaja
  • Gyromitra convoluta Van Vooren
  • Gyromitra discinoides S. Imai
  • Gyromitra esculenta Pers. ex Fr. – a false morel
  • Gyromitra fluctuans Harmaja
  • Gyromitra grandis Van Vooren & M. Carbone
  • Gyromitra intermedia Harmaja
  • Gyromitra korfii Harmaja
  • Gyromitra korshinskii P.M. Kirk
  • Gyromitra labyrinthica Fr.
  • Gyromitra lactea J.Z. Cao, L. Fan & B. Liu
  • Gyromitra larryi Harmaja
  • Gyromitra leucoxantha Harmaja
  • Gyromitra longipes Harmaja
  • Gyromitra macrospora Harmaja
  • Gyromitra mcknightii Harmaja
  • Gyromitra microspora Harmaja
  • Gyromitra neuwirthii Velen.
  • Gyromitra olympiana Harmaja
  • Gyromitra parma Kotl. & Pouzar
  • Gyromitra pratensis Velen.
  • Gyromitra recurva Harmaja
  • Gyromitra sichuanensis Korf & W.Y. Zhuang
  • Gyromitra slonevskii V.P. Heluta
  • Gyromitra sphaerospora Sacc.
  • Gyromitra spinosospora A. Koch, Christan & Lohmeyer
  • Gyromitra splendida Raitv.
  • Gyromitra suspecta J. Schröt.
  • Gyromitra tasmanica Berk. & Cooke
  • Gyromitra venenata Hai J. Li, Z.H. Chen & Zhu L. Yang
  • Gyromitra warnei Harmaja

    Toxicity

Some species of the genus Gyromitra are highly poisonous when eaten raw due to the presence of gyromitrin, although some are edible when cooked and Gyromitra spp. are sought after in Scandinavian countries. Widespread hemolysis has been reported from ingestion which can result in kidney failure. Methemoglobinemia has also been seen, although it is typically responsive to treatment with methylene blue. Seizures can also develop via inhibition of the neurotransmitter GABA.