Jack-o’-lantern

Atkinson says the saffron-yellow Clitocybe illudens is easily known by its strong phosphorescence in the dark, for which it is sometimes called 'Jack-my-lantern'.

“From the rich saffron yellow color of all parts of the plant, and especially by its strong phosphorescence, so evident in the dark, it is an easy plant to recognize. Because of its phosphorescence it is sometimes called "Jack-my-lantern."”

George Francis Atkinson, Studies of American Fungi. Mushrooms, Edible, Poisonous, etc., Chapter VI (The White-Spored Agarics), Clitocybe illudens. Second edition; New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1903 (Project Gutenberg eBook #26492). The text, read in part

McIlvaine says that, cooked, it tastes rather soapy and generally sickens the eater, and that tests show it contains a minor poison.

“When cooked the taste is rather saponaceous. Strong stomachs can retain a meal of them, but the fungus generally sickens the eater. Many testings show it to contain a minor poison.”

Charles McIlvaine and Robert K. Macadam, Toadstools, Mushrooms, Fungi, Edible and Poisonous; One Thousand American Fungi, Clitocybe illudens, species entry. Revised edition; Indianapolis: The Bowen-Merrill Company, copyright 1900, 1902 (Project Gutenberg eBook #51393). The text, read in part

Badham notes that Agaricus olearius, not uncommon in Italy, may be seen at night shining feebly in the darkness of the olive grove.

“…of the first, the Agaricus olearius, not uncommon in Italy, is sometimes seen at night, feebly shining amidst the darkness of the olive grove.”

Charles David Badham, M.D.; edited by Frederick Currey, A Treatise on the Esculent Funguses of England, Phosphorescence. London: Lovell Reeve & Co., Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, 1863 (second edition; Project Gutenberg eBook #58853). The text, read in part