Chlorophyllum

Chlorophyllum is a genus of large toadstools that are similar in appearance to the true parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota).

The genus Chlorophyllum was originally created in 1898, a time when spore color was the deciding factor for differentiating genera.

It was termed in order to describe the poisonous green-spored C. molybdites which shared many characteristics of the mushrooms within the genus Lepiota but lacked the all important white spores.

The best known members are the edible shaggy parasol, a name applied to three very similar species Chlorophyllum rhacodes, C. olivieri and C. brunneum, and the poisonous C. molybdites, which is widespread in subtropical regions around the world.

As of July 2019[update], the nomenclatural database Index Fungorum lists 28 species in the genus.