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    Blushing Wood Mushroom

    Agaricus sylvaticus Schaeff. · Agaricaceae

    Also: Scaly Wood Mushroom, Pinewood mushroom

    ✓ EdibleRisk of confusion: high

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    Identification in 5 steps

    Blushing Wood Mushroom
    Photo: Szabi237 · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
    Blushing Wood Mushroom
    Photo: Strobilomyces · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    The blushing wood mushroom is a brown-scaly Agaricus of spruce woods whose flesh turns blood red when cut. It is a good edible mushroom.

    SeasonMay to November
    Spore printchocolate brown
    FamilyAgaricaceae
    1. Cap. The cap is 5 to 10 cm wide, with brown, fibrous scales on a pale background.
    2. Underside. The gills are free, pink when young, later chocolate brown.
    3. Stem, ring and volva. The stem is whitish with a hanging ring and a slightly bulbous base, with no volva.
    4. Smell and taste. It has a pleasant mushroomy smell.
    5. Flesh and colour change. The flesh quickly turns a strong blood red when cut.

    Lookalikes

    Always check the stem base: Agaricus mushrooms never have a volva and never have pure white gills when mature.

    Habitat & Season

    Conifer litter. From the lowlands up into the hills and mountains.

    Host trees

    Spruce, less often other conifers.

    Season

    possible good main season

    Mainly September to October.

    Mushroom regions with a daily forecast

    There are no records per region for this species yet. The country pages lead to all regions with a daily forecast.

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    Chance near you

    How good are the chances of finding this species where you are right now? We calculate it from weather, soil moisture, altitude and forest at your location.

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    Safety

    Never eat a mushroom you have not identified with certainty. Only eat mushrooms you have identified with certainty, and always cook them thoroughly.

    Advice for your country

    United Kingdom

    Poison centre:

    NHS 111 (England)111

    Emergency: 999 · 112

    Ireland

    Poison centre:

    National Poisons Information Centre (public line)(01) 809 2166

    Emergency: 112 · 999

    Germany

    Poison centre:

    Giftnotruf Berlin030 19240Giftinformationszentrum München089 19240GIZ-Nord Göttingen0551 19240

    Emergency: 112

    Mushroom advice: DGfM: find a mushroom expert. Certified mushroom experts of the German Mycological Society (DGfM).

    Collecting rules: Mushrooms that are not specially protected may be collected in small quantities for personal use unless a protected area or ban applies. Certain specially protected edible species (e.g. cep, chanterelle, birch bolete) may be collected in small quantities for personal use.

    Austria

    Poison centre:

    Vergiftungsinformationszentrale (VIZ)01 406 43 43

    Emergency: 112 · 144

    Mushroom advice: Austrian Mycological Society (ÖMG): mushroom advice. Mushroom advice by the Austrian Mycological Society or regional services such as municipal market offices.

    Collecting rules: At most 2 kg of mushrooms per person per day unless the forest owner has prohibited collecting; organised collecting events are prohibited. Additional state rules apply (collecting hours, closed seasons), e.g. Carinthia, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Salzburg.

    Conservation and collecting rules

    Not specially protected.

    No species-specific rule known.

    Red List Germany: Least concern

    In the kitchen

    Fried, in sauces. Cook thoroughly.

    Possible.

    Frequently asked questions

    Blushing Wood Mushroom: is it edible?

    Yes, it is considered an edible mushroom. Cook thoroughly. Always check the stem base: Agaricus mushrooms never have a volva and never have pure white gills when mature.

    Blushing Wood Mushroom: when and where does it grow?

    In central Europe the season runs from May to November. Mainly September to October. Tree partners and habitat: Spruce, less often other conifers. Soil: Conifer litter. Elevation: From the lowlands up into the hills and mountains.

    Blushing Wood Mushroom: what are the lookalikes?

    The most important distinction is from European destroying angel (Amanita virosa, deadly poisonous): It has pure white gills that never turn pink or brown, and a sac-like volva. Other lookalikes: Scaly wood mushroom, Inky mushroom.

    Related species

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    Sources

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    No substitute for having your finds checked in person. No guarantee of accuracy. Updated: 17.10.2026.

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