Species details
Wood mushroom
Agaricus sylvicola
Traditionally edible
Photo: Richard Daniel (RichardDaniel) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A white to cream woodland Agaricus that yellows when handled and has a characteristic aniseed smell.
Identification features
The cap is silky white to cream; free gills turn from grey-pink to dark brown. The stem has a hanging ring, may be bulbous at the base, and yellows when touched.
Identification checklist
Check the aniseed smell, yellowing on handling, free gills, and hanging ring. The entire stem base should be visible.
How to separate similar species
Poisonous A. xanthodermus and A. moelleri may yellow strongly but usually smell unpleasantly phenolic or inky. Yellowing alone is not diagnostic.
Habitat
Grows on the ground in deciduous and coniferous woodland, singly or in groups, mainly from summer to autumn.
Fruiting period
July, August, September, October