Laughing gym
Gymnopilus junonius
A species of Rustgills. Also known as Big laughing jim, Laughing Jim.
Present across numerous Northern Hemisphere nations, the laughing gym is typically observed on deciduous tree stumps, though occasionally found beneath conifers. This substantial, firm, and vibrantly colored mushroom frequently emerges in modest clusters. Its scientific appellation, Gymnopilus junonius, translates to naked cap sacred to Juno, acknowledging its striking and attractive characteristics. This fungus is considered inedible and potentially poisonous.
In This Article
Attributes of Laughing gym
Cap Diameter
5 - 25 cm
Height
10 - 20 cm
Cap
Cap 5 - 26 cm across; convex to flat, shallowly umbonate; bright ocher, rusty orange; with finely scaly-fibrous
Cap Shape
Convex, Flat, Central Bump
Cap Surfaces
Fibrillose-scaly
Gills
Attached; close; pale yellowish to rusty
Gill Attachment
Attached
Stem
Stem 9 - 16 cm long, 1.5 - 3 cm thick; dull yellow to brownish orange; smooth to fibrous; turns brown when bruised
Stem Shapes
Club Shaped
Stem Surfaces
Fibrillose
Flesh
Thick; firm; orangish yellow; unchanging when sliced
Ring
With Ring
Spore Print Color
Rusty brown
Odor
Mildly mushroomy, faintly fruity when cut.
Body Color
BrownYellowOrange
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
Growth Form
Gregarious, Clustered
Nutrient Gathering
Saprophytic
Substrate
Dead Woods, Wood of Living Trees
Occurence Habitats
Deciduous Woodland, Coniferous Woodland, Mixed Woodland
Species Status
Widely distributed
Endangered Species
No
Scientific Classification of Laughing gym
Phylum
Club fungi
Class
Mushroom-forming fungi
Order
Gilled fungi
Family
Hymenogastraceae
Genus
Rustgills
Toxicity and Edibility of Laughing gym
Is Laughing gym Toxic?
Toxicity information is not available for this mushroom. Always consult with an expert before consuming any wild mushrooms.
