23 October 2009 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Common Name Parasol mushroom Cap Initially spherical and smooth, then expanding with a central bump, covered in coarse scales, surface soft and felty, to about 25 cm across Gills Free, broad, close, white Stem Equal, pale brown, decorated with a zig zag pattern, ring large soft, sometimes moving freely along the stem, hollow, base bulbous Flesh Firm in the cap, fibrous in the stem, white Smell Indistinct Taste Sweet Season Late summer to autumn Distribution Common Habitat On soil in pastures, along road sides, and in clearings in woods Spore Print White Microscopic Features Spores ellipsoidal, smooth (12.5-18) x (8-12) µm2. Basidia 4 spored. Gill edge cystidia cylindrical to utriform. Edibility Edible, excellent Notes This species could be confused with several species including Chlorophyllum rhacodes, M. konradii, M. mastoidea and M. excoriata. It is recognised by its large size, unchanging flesh, and large spores. 
23 October 2009 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
23 October 2009 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |