Leucocoprinus birnbaumii (Corda) Singer

Common name: None.

Description: The caps are up to 6 cm in diameter but usually only reach this size when very old and fully expanded. Unexpanded caps are brilliant chrome-yellow and elliptical but they soon expand to a more or less conical shape and lose some of their colour. They are dry and at first are covered with a powdery layer of small scales which rapidly disappear as the cap expands. The cap is radially striate inwards from the margin to about halfway to the central raised area. The gills are bright yellow and free. The stem is usually 48 cm long and about 5 mm in diameter although the bulbous base can be broader; it is dry and brilliant chrome-yellow. The stem also has a prominent ring, but as it is delicate, it is often destroyed as the fruiting body ages, or even by rough handling.

The spores measure 911 × 57 µm and are ellipsoidal, smooth, have a prominent germ pore and are colourless. The spore print is white.

Substratum: Leucocoprinus birnbaumii is found on soil among litter in a variety of forest types.

Distribution: Known from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Notes: This species is very spectacular when it first emerges due to the brilliant chrome-yellow fruiting bodies. It often appears on potting mix in household plants.