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Agaricus sylvaticus

 
Agaricus silvaticus is sometimes referred to as the Red Staining Mushroom, because the cap and stipe turn bright red if they are scratched or broken. It is an edible species.

Identification guide

Cap

Agaricus silvaticus has a cap diameter of 7 to 15 cm. Domed at first, the scaly cap expands until it is almost flat.

Beneath the surface, which is light russet-brown and  covered with reddish-brown scales that are more dense towards the middle of the cap, the flesh is white. Upon cutting the thin, firm cap flesh it turns red and eventually brown.

Gills

Initially pink, the free, crowded gills turn redder and then dark brown as the spores mature.

Stipe

The stem, which is 1 to 1.2 cm in diameter, is more or less parallel sided above a slightly bulbous base. When cut, the solid stem flesh turns red and eventually brown.

Above the large, floppy single ring the stem is smooth, while below the ring it is finely scaly.

Spore print

Chocolate brown.

Odour/taste

Not distinctive.

Habitat

Often in groups in mixed woodland and under trees in parks.

Season

August to November.

Occurrence

Infrequent; rare in many areas. 

Similar species

  1. Agaricus haemorrhoidarius is very similar, with grey-brown scales and a stouter stem; it occurs under broad-leaved trees, notably oak and beech.
First Nature Multimedia Guide to Fungi
There is a lot more about this species and hundreds of other beautiful and fascinating mushrooms and toadstools on our CD-ROM for PCs with Internet Explorer. Details...

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