A beautiful, colorful, and aromatic mushroom, the Blue Meanie is a member of the Convolvulus pluricaulis group of mushrooms. More commonly known as the blue toad or simply the blue toad, the Blue Meanie is native to North America but grows as a popular exotic plant in European countries, as well. The name blue comes from the yellow toad’s commonly red-colored appearance and black spores (which are distinctly colored) that covers its entire body. This article discusses the specifics of this beautiful and intriguing species and what it means to fungi.
The blue meanies mushrooms were initially mistaken for some other mushroom species because they grow on a single stem that resembles a very thin slice of toad. However, when scientists examined the spore plug after bringing it back from its shipment, they realized that it was actually a harmless starfish. Even so, the discovery of this unique blue mushroom did not result in the spreading of its name or brand. It is believed that the name was inadvertently given to the mushrooms by some traders who wanted to sell them as a unique and powerful type of magic mushroom that had been discovered in the New York area. Today, the blue meanies mushrooms are one of the most widely grown exotic mushrooms in Europe.
The blue meanies mushrooms grow in clusters on wooded areas with decaying organic materials and on damp soil. In addition, they can grow in shallow water or on mud. The black spore caps have a distinctly unpleasant odor; however, the odor of these spores is difficult to detect, and they cannot be used to identify the species of the fungi involved unless microscopic analysis is made. Samples of the black and brown-colored mushrooms have also yielded antifungal and antiseptic materials that could be helpful in identifying the species of the fungi involved.
Among the most common species of the fungi that grow in North America, the most abundant are the Cladosporium, Chlorophyllum, Alternaria, and Agaricus. These are known as the Cladosporine family of mushrooms and are commonly found growing on moist wooded areas, including fields, pastures, and roadsides. In addition, they also grow in wet soil in parks, near cemeteries and other public areas where there are large groups of people. The most common species of the Cladosporine family, which are commonly found growing in the United States, are known as the blue meanies mushrooms, while the Agaricum species are a distant relative and grow mostly in Europe. These two species share a similar set of physical characteristics including the appearance of the cap, which contains a variety of white, gray, or black spores, the growth of the stem enclosed within a whitish cap and the absence of any visible external signs of the mycelia, which are simply the reproductive chambers of the fungi.
The mycelia present in blue meanie mushrooms are surrounded by a slimy whitish cap and contain either yellow or white-colored interior mycelium layers. The interior mycelium layers of these mushrooms are highly fragile and it can easily break off if handled roughly or exposed to air. It is very important to refrain from eating blue meansies shrooms directly from the mushrooms, but instead need to consume them via a decoction or drink them as a powdered ingredient. This will help to ensure that the mycelium does not break down before being consumed.
While ingesting the mycelium itself, or any blue meanie mushrooms, is extremely safe, it is important to also know how to recognize the different varieties of mushrooms. There are several distinct species of this particular fungus and recognizing the type can be difficult unless you have some knowledge about mycelia fungi. Some of the more common species of the Cladosporium fungi include the Agaricus (also known as the false agaricus), Cladosporium, or Agaricus (also known as the false agaricus or false perlewhe, ) the Claviceps reared, the Claviceps silvestris, Claviceps tricolor, and the Claviceps acidum. These mushrooms can grow on any variety of types of fungi, including sprung and hygrophi. Some of the more common places in which you will likely encounter the blue meanies mushroom include North America, South America, the Pacific Islands, Africa and Australia. The mycelium of the Agaricus species only grows in the Americas, where it flourishes in the moist soil around cacti trees.
