Spotted tricholoma Tricholoma pardinum
poisonous
It is larger and sturdier, with coarse, roof-tile-like scales.
View on the mapIdentification in 5 steps
The yellowing knight is a silver-grey to grey-brown, finely scaly knight with a smell of meal and flesh that turns yellow. It is edible in principle, but of poor quality.
SeasonMay to November
Spore printwhite
FamilyTricholomataceae
- Cap. The cap is 3 to 8 cm wide, silver grey to grey-brown, finely fibrous to scaly.
- Underside. The gills are whitish and turn yellow with age.
- Stem, ring and volva. The stem is whitish. There is no ring and no volva.
- Smell and taste. It smells of meal. Do not taste grey knights.
- Flesh and colour change. The flesh is white and turns yellow.
Lookalikes
Poor quality and easily confused with the spotted tricholoma.
Grey knight Tricholoma terreum
edible with restrictions
It does not smell of meal and does not turn yellow.
View on the mapHabitat & Season
Various soils. From lowland to mountain regions.
Host trees
Broadleaved and coniferous trees, also parks and gardens.
Season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
possible good main season
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.
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.
Safety
Never eat a mushroom you have not identified with certainty. For experienced foragers only: follow the restrictions, and if in doubt, do not eat it.
Advice for your country
Ireland
Poison centre:
National Poisons Information Centre (public line)(01) 809 2166
Emergency: 112 · 999
Germany
Poison centre:
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: Data deficient
In the kitchen
At most as part of a mixed-mushroom dish. Cook thoroughly.
Not recommended. Risk of confusion with the spotted tricholoma.
- Never eat wild mushrooms raw, and always cook them for at least 15 minutes.
- Use only young, fresh, maggot-free and reliably identified specimens.
- Carry mushrooms in an airy basket, not in plastic bags, and prepare them the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Yellowing knight: is it edible?
Only with restrictions. Poor quality and easily confused with the spotted tricholoma. Cook thoroughly.
Yellowing knight: when and where does it grow?
The season in central Europe runs from May to November. Tree partner and habitat: Broadleaved and coniferous trees, also parks and gardens. Soil: Various soils. Altitude: From lowland to mountain regions.
Yellowing knight: what are the lookalikes?
The most important distinction is from Spotted tricholoma (Tricholoma pardinum, poisonous): It is larger and sturdier, with coarse, roof-tile-like scales. Other lookalikes: grey knight.
Related species
- Dark-scaled knight Tricholoma atrosquamosum
- Grey knight Tricholoma terreum
- Scaly knight Tricholoma vaccinum
- Tawny funnel cap Paralepista flaccida
- Blue green anise mushroom Clitocybe odora
- Sordid blewit Lepista sordida
Sources
- Gilbender Erd-Ritterling (Wikipedia DE)
- GBIF: Tricholoma scalpturatum (Fr.) Quél.
- Index Fungorum Record 186479
- Rote-Liste-Zentrum: Großpilze Deutschlands (Dämmrich et al. 2016)
- ÖMG: Pilzschutzbestimmungen in Österreich (Stand 29.01.2021)
- RIS: Forstgesetz 1975 § 174
- DGfM: Giftpilze und Pilzvergiftungen
- DGfM: Giftnotrufe in Deutschland, Europa und der Schweiz
- Gesundheitsportal Österreich: Vergiftung durch Pilze, VIZ 01 406 43 43
- Tiger-Ritterling (Wikipedia DE)
Photo credits
- Photo: User:Strobilomyces · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Spotted tricholoma: Photo: Ryane Snow · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Grey knight: Photo: Holger Krisp · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
No substitute for having your finds checked in person. No guarantee of accuracy. Updated: 17.10.2026.