Is this the Common Cavalier?

Steve Wurzel · #1 (**permalink**) 19-10-2008, 08:23 PM

Hello everybody,

Can anyone confirm whether or not this is the Common Cavalier - Melanoleuca polioleuca?

I couldn't find a better match myself, any comments appreciated

fairplay · #2 (**permalink**) 19-10-2008, 08:42 PM

Your photo shows decurrent gills which would make this Clitocybe nebularis.

Melanoleuca polioleuca (what's a 'common cavalier' ?

) gills are sinuate.

Neil.

Steve Wurzel · #3 (**permalink**) 19-10-2008, 09:12 PM

Of course, thanks Neil, that explains the strong smell, and larger size, not features of Melanoleuca polioleuca

All logged in the grey cells now

I take it the name comment is a conversation about given names I've missed

fairplay · #4 (**permalink**) 20-10-2008, 12:07 AM

Hi Steve,

I was making a sarcastic dig at the use of these 'new common English names'

I think your use of that 'unmentionable' name is the first time it's been used on the Forum, it goes back to the days when Mykonik was with us, both he and I thought some of these new English names were silly and meaningless, i.e. Dapperling, Knight, Shield, Brownie, and Cavalier - they are not really descriptive.

Don't get me wrong though, I believe we do need common names, but the examples I gave I don't think will ever catch on.

Neil.

flaxton · #5 (**permalink**) 20-10-2008, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairplay

Hi Steve,

I was making a sarcastic dig at the use of these 'new common English names'

I think your use of that 'unmentionable' name is the first time it's been used on the Forum, it goes back to the days when Mykonik was with us, both he and I thought some of these new English names were silly and meaningless, i.e. Dapperling, Knight, Shield, Brownie, and Cavalier - they are not really descriptive.

Don't get me wrong though, I believe we do need common names, but the examples I gave I don't think will ever catch on.

Neil.

Not if we can help it

Mal

Andy Overall · #6 (**permalink**) 20-10-2008, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairplay

Hi Steve,

I was making a sarcastic dig at the use of these 'new common English names'

I think your use of that 'unmentionable' name is the first time it's been used on the Forum, it goes back to the days when Mykonik was with us, both he and I thought some of these new English names were silly and meaningless, i.e. Dapperling, Knight, Shield, Brownie, and Cavalier - they are not really descriptive.

Don't get me wrong though, I believe we do need common names, but the examples I gave I don't think will ever catch on.

Neil.

I would also like to add to this that these names are based on American English names which mean absolutely nothing to folk over here. I have chatted with many colleagues here who feel the same way. Out of interest, when Liz Holden was putting the 'English Names' list together I was contacted as London Group Leader regarding ideas for names I came up with the name 'Ginger Jim' for G. junonius which was well received but I missed the boat unfortunately because I was too late in replying , ha ha ha. I still use the name though on my forays and workshops, it goes down well. As a consequence I have been coming up with common names as they slip into my head and using them on the forays, I have the rather controversial name for Xerula radicata of 'Nipple Cap' as the cap looks just like a nipple with all the wrinkles round it. It gets a good laugh.

Andy

KeenTeen17 · #7 (**permalink**) 20-10-2008, 11:57 AM

I thought common cavalier was M. Mellaleuca?

fairplay · #8 (**permalink**) 20-10-2008, 12:15 PM

Hi KT,

M. mellaleuca has been changed to polioleuca

Neil.

KeenTeen17 · #9 (**permalink**) 20-10-2008, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairplay

Hi KT,

M. mellaleuca

Neil.

sorry still getting rid of old habits

Steve Wurzel · #10 (**permalink**) 20-10-2008, 12:23 PM

I am totally behind you guys on this.

I think because the UK has been a little backward on identifying mushrooms over previous centuries, the American names appear to draw on German translations into English.

Common Cavalier - Melanoleuca polioleuca is Kummer Gemeiner Weichritterling which literally translates something like "Common cruel-trick small-soft knight" (or cavalier)

Which could possibly be re-interpretated as "Common False Cavalier" !! Is that a better description???

'Ginger Jim' for Gymnopilus junonius is great, I like it

(provided it doesn't change species then it will only be semi-great!!

) 'Nipple Cap' also gets my vote