Species details

Bruised knight

Tricholoma pessundatum

Poisonous

Description

A brown knight mushroom with a greasy-sticky cap, white gills that later develop brown stains, and a pleasant mealy smell.

Identification features

The cap margin stays inrolled for a long time and often has darker spots near the edge. Gills are notched at the stem. The stem is white above and becomes progressively browner toward the base.

Identification checklist

Check the smooth brown greasy-sticky cap, white gills developing brown stains, white-to-brown stem without a true ring, and mealy smell. A pleasant smell does not imply edibility.

Detailed features

Cap: A brown knight mushroom with a greasy-sticky cap, white gills that later develop brown spots, and a pleasant mealy smell.
Hymenophore: Gills are notched at the stem.
Stem: Gills are notched at the stem. The stem is white above and becomes progressively browner toward the base.
Flesh: Initially white, later brownish.
Smell: Pleasant mealy smell.
Spore print: White.

Size

Cap diameter: ≤ 12 cm
Stem height: ≤ 10 cm
Stem diameter: ≤ 1,5 cm

Habitat

In coniferous and mixed woodland, especially with pine and spruce; from late summer into early winter.

Fruiting period

August, September, October, November, December

Ecology

Trophic mode: Mycorrhizal
Host trees: Spruce (Picea), Pine (Pinus)
Substrate: Forest soil
Notes: Mycorrhizal species. In coniferous and mixed woodland, especially with pine and spruce; from late summer into early winter.

How to separate similar species

Several brown Tricholoma species are very similar. Some have a clearer ring zone or different degree of sliminess. Reliable identification requires comparison of several characters.

Similar species

Burnt knight (Tricholoma ustale)
Slimy brown knight (Tricholoma ustaloides)
Tricholoma batschii

Interesting facts

Did you know? Its pleasant mealy smell can be misleading and is not an indication of safety in this poisonous Tricholoma.