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field mushroom (Agaricus campestris)
Agaricus campestris is a white gill fungus of fertilised meadows and pastures with pink to chocolate brown gills. It is a popular edible mushroom but has dangerous white doppelgängers.
Scientific name: Agaricus campestris
Features
The cap is 3 to 10 cm wide, white to cream colored, silky smooth to finely scaly and on the edge often with velum residues. The gills are free, young vibrant pink, later chocolate to black brown and never pure white. The stem is short, white, with a narrow, ephemeral ring and a straight, non-bull base without volva. It smells pleasantly mushroomy and never like ink or phenol. The flesh is white and reddens slightly when cut; it does not yellow, not even in the stem base. Chocolate to black brown
Habitat
Not a tree partner; it grows in meadows, pastures, horse paddling, parks and gardens.. Moderately fertilized nitrogen-rich soils.. Especially in deeper, warmer locations.
Season
July to October After extensive rains often en masse.
Weather and fruiting
Pink to chocolate gills, base not yellowing. Rule out yellow stainer and amanitas.
Lookalike risk
European destroying angel: Its gills always remain pure white, and the stem base is stuck in a skinned, sac-like volva. Fool's mushroom: Pure white with white gills, ring and sac-like volva; always dig the stem base completely. Yellow-stainer: It yellows chrome yellow when rubbed on the cap edge and in the stem base and smells of ink or phenol.
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FAQ
What does the map show?
Weather-based foraging chances, not a guarantee that fruit bodies stand at the pin.
Can I eat this mushroom?
No page replaces identification. If unsure, leave it or ask an expert.
Field mushroom: is it edible?
Yes, it is an edible mushroom. White Agaricus species are repeatedly confused with deadly deadly Amanita species; check lamellar color and stem base.
Field mushroom: when and where does it grow?
In central Europe the season runs July to October. After extensive rains often en masse. Habitat: Not a tree partner; it grows in meadows, pastures, horse paddling, parks and gardens.
Field mushroom: what are the lookalikes?
The most important distinction is from European destroying angel (Amanita virosa, deadly poisonous): Its gills always remain pure white, and the stem base is stuck in a skinned, sac-like volva. Other lookalikes: Fool's mushroom, Yellow-stainer.
When is a trip worth it?
Pink to chocolate gills, base not yellowing. Rule out yellow stainer and amanitas.