Medium to very large agaric, growing on the ground with a green spore print (when fresh; ochre-brown after storage). Pileus initially brown, then with brown scales on a white, cream or pale brown background, not viscid. Lamellae remote or free, green at maturity, but can be quite pale (white, cream or pinkish) when young. Stipe central. Partial veil remnants a membranous annulus. Spores hyaline or greenish, dextrinoid, smooth, thick-walled; with a broad germ pore. Cheilocystidia present. Lamellar trama regular or interwoven. Pileipellis a trichoderm. Clamp connections sometimes present, but they can be difficult to see.

Other species of Chlorophyllum, especially C. brunneum, are very similar in macroscopic appearance, but do not have a greenish spore print; this character also separates Macrolepiota. The genus Melanophyllum has a greenish spore print, but it differs in the relatively small fruit-bodies with mealy pileus covering and the reddish brown lamellae; in addition the spores are warty rather than smooth.

Mature spores of Chlorophyllum molybdites do not stain heavily in Congo Red, in contrast to those of C. brunneum [see Bougher (1999), where C. brunneum is referred to as Macrolepiota rachodes].

One species: Chlorophyllum molybdites. This species is keyed out separately from other Chlorophyllum because the spore print is green (rather than white).

Chlorophyllum molybdites (G.Mey.) Massee, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1898: 136 (1898).

W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W. and Vic.

In lawns (especially when watered) in cities and towns and in paddocks. Not confirmed from native grassland or forest.

On the ground.

Saprotrophic.

Aberdeen, J.E.C. (1992), Lepiotoid Genera (Agaricales) in South-eastern Queensland. Aberdeen Publications, Gailes, Queensland. [Description, Microcharacters and B&W Illustration of C. molybdites]

Bougher, N.L. (1999), The poisonous green-gilled fungus Chlorophyllum molybdites in south Western Australia, Australas. Mycol. 18: 60–62. [Description and Illustration of C. molybdites]

Bougher, N.L. (2009a), Fungi of the Perth region and beyond: a self-managed field book, Western Australian Naturalists' Club (Inc.), Perth. [Description and Illustration of C. molybdites]

Grgurinovic, C.A. (1997a), Larger Fungi of South Australia. The Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium and The Flora and Fauna of South Australia Handbooks Committee, Adelaide. [Description and Microcharacters of C. molybdites]

Imazeki, R., Otani, Y. & Hongo, T. (1988), Fungi of Japan. Yama-Kei Publishers, Tokyo. [Illustration of C. molybdites]

Pegler, D.N. (1977), A preliminary agaric flora of East Africa, Kew Bull., Addit. Ser. 6: 1–615. [Description, B&W Illustration and Microcharacters of C. molybdites]

Reid, D.A. & Eicker, A. (1991a), A comprehensive account of Chlorophyllum molybdites, Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin. 32: 317–333. [Description, B&W Illustration and Microcharacters of C. molybdites]

Southcott, R.V. (1974), Notes on some poisonings and other clinical effects following ingestion of Australian fungi, S. Austral. Clinics 6: 441–478. [Illustration of C. molybdites and discussion of poisoning symptoms]

Vellinga, E.C. (2003a), Chlorophyllum and Macrolepiota (Agaricaceae) in Australia, Austral. Syst. Bot. 16: 361–370. [brief Description of C. molybdites]

Young, T. (1989b), Poisonings by Chlorophyllum molybdites in Australia, Mycologist 3: 11–12. [brief Description and Illustration of C. molybdites and discussion of poisoning symptoms]

Young, A.M. (2005b), A Field Guide to the Fungi of Australia. University of New South Wales Press, Sydney. [Description and B&W Illustration of C. molybdites]