Species details
Patrician deer mushroom
Pluteus petasatus
Traditionally edible
Photo: Agnieszka Kwiecień (Nova) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A larger whitish shield mushroom with brownish fibrous scales mainly at the cap centre, growing on dead hardwood and sawdust.
Identification features
Cap about 3–8(15) cm wide, convex at first and later almost flat, whitish to cream, darker centrally with fine brownish fibrous scales. Gills are free, white at first and pink with maturity. Stem is whitish, fibrous and slightly broader toward the base.
Identification checklist
Check the larger whitish cap with brownish fibrous scales at the centre, free gills turning pink with maturity, and growth directly from woody debris.
How to separate similar species
Pluteus cervinus is usually more uniformly brown, while P. pellitus is more uniformly white without such a characteristically brown-scaled centre. Microscopy may be needed for atypical shield mushrooms.
Habitat
Grows in deciduous woodland on dead wood, buried woody debris and sawdust, singly or in small groups, mainly from late spring through summer.
Fruiting period
May, June, July, August