Agaricus silvicola
Species of fungus
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Through Variety (botany), South Asia and Bangladesh
Taxonomy
Originally described as the variety Agaricus campestris var. silvicola by Carlo Vittadini in 1832, it was promoted to distinct species status by Charles Horton Peck in 1873. It is a member of Agaricus section Arvenses, a group of morphologically similar mushrooms.
Varieties with larger bases have been described as A. abruptibulbus.
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Description
The cap is light cream, and bruises yellow ochre when damaged. It is 5–15 cm (2–6 in) in diameter, which makes it slightly smaller than its close relative A. arvensis. The stem is 5–15 cm (2–6 in) long and usually bulbous at the base. It is much the same color as the cap, and has a fragile drooping ring. The flesh is thin, white, and smells of almond or anise.
A. silvicola, like other species in Agaricus section Arvenses, exhibits a positive Schäffer's reaction and potassium hydroxide (KOH) reaction. The spores are brown, elliptical, and smooth.
Similar species
It looks fairly similar to a young death cap (Amanita phalloides). There are also numerous similar Agaricus species:
- Agaricus abruptibulbus
- Agaricus albolutescens
- Agaricus arvensis – the horse mushroom
- Agaricus campestris – the field mushroom
- Agaricus hondensis
- Agaricus osecanus
- Agaricus semotus
- Agaricus subrutilescens
- Agaricus xanthodermus – the yellow stainer
Distribution and habitat
Agaricus silvicola grows in both deciduous and coniferous woodland in Europe (including Britain) and North America. It has also been reported in South Asia, namely Bangladesh and Pakistan. Appearing in the autumn, it is rarely seen in huge numbers, usually just a few, or solitary.
Edibility
It is edible and popular in Europe. It is suspected to have caused occasional adverse reactions in North America.