Wood Mushroom

Description:

A common Agaricus, some might confuse it for the Amanita phalloides mushroom, the death cap!

Habitat:

Found the large one growing alone under a bush (not near a tree), then three small ones growing under some weeds. The large one was at an altitude of 5,000 feet whilst the smaller ones were at 8,000 feet.

Notes:

Cap is convex with a depression in the center with the margin slightly in-rolled; gills are slightly connected to stem (adnate-adnexed) and are fairly close together; the stipe is hollow (seems to be due to maggots) and white-cream on the outside with hints of caramel, and the inside of the stem is completely caramel in color; the ring does not crumble, rather, it is quite malleable; emits a strong mealy odor. Dimensions: cap is 7 centimeters wide, stem is 6 centimeters tall, and about 1 or 2 centimeters wide. This mushroom is said to be delicious (though allergic reactions could always occur!), but one should exercise caution as their resemblence to the fatal death cap mushroom could cause an awful situation to take place. Make sure it 1) does not have a volva 2) does not have white gills at maturity (Agaricus silvicola's gills transition from white when young, becoming gray to pinkish-gray in age, and finally brown or darker upon maturity).