Species details
Field parasol
Macrolepiota excoriata
Traditionally edible
Photo: Albarubescens · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A medium-sized parasol with a whitish cap, ochre-brown appressed scales, a smooth pale stem and a movable ring.
Identification features
The young cap is egg-shaped, then conical and finally parasol-shaped with a blunt central boss. Gills are white, crowded, broad and free. The stem is tall, slender, smooth and enlarged at the base; older stems become hollow.
Identification checklist
Check the medium-sized whitish cap with ochre-brown appressed scales, white free gills, smooth pale stem, enlarged base and movable ring. The grassland or field habitat is also important. Always examine the complete stem base.
How to separate similar species
Slender parasol has a more pointed central boss and a more brown-patterned stem. True parasol is usually larger and has a pronounced snakeskin stem pattern. Chlorophyllum species can be dangerous lookalikes, so with uncertain specimens check the whole base, ring, colour changes and spore print.
Habitat
In grass on fields and meadows and along woodland edges, singly or in groups; late summer and autumn.
Fruiting period
August, September, October
Similar species
- Macrolepiota mastoidea
- Parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera)
- Leucoagaricus nympharum
- Chlorophyllum species