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| Fungiramas |
Calocybe gambosa |
Appearing in April, Calocybe gambosa has the common name St George's Mushroom. It is a good edible species, distinguished from other pale species of springtime by its mealy smell. Fruiting from April to June (the common name derives from St George's Day, 23rd April, when this mushroom can usually be found), Calocybe gambosa is usually the first of the large edible fungi to appear. |
Cap |
5 to 15 cm diameter; initially almost
spherical, becoming convex and sometimes almost flat; often misshapen but
retaining an incurved margin.
The cap surface is smooth and white with a light brown tinge that sometimes becomes tan with age. Firm and white, the cap flesh is prone to maggot infestation as the fruitbody ages, and so only fresh young specimens are worth collecting. |
Gills |
The sinuate gills are white, narrow and very crowded. |
Stipe |
2 to 4 cm wide and solid, usually curved and slightly thicker at the base, the stem is 3 to 7 cm tall. There is no stem ring. |
Spore print |
White. |
Odour/taste |
Mealy odour and taste. |
Habitat |
In cropped pastures and mown roadside verges; occasionally in mixed woodland. |
Season |
April to June. |
Occurrence |
Infrequent. |
Similar species |
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