Scaly Wood Mushroom (Agaricus sp.)
Agaricus sylvaticus
Agaricus Species Identification: High Risk of Toxic Lookalikes
1 / 4
All Images (4)
Key Features
- Cap covered in fine
- brownish
- granular scales.
- Gills free
- crowded
- maturing from pale/pink to dark chocolate brown.
- Context (flesh) stains reddish or brownish upon cutting.
- Robust
- pale stem with remnants of a partial veil/ring.
- Growing terrestrially in leaf litter.
Color:
Cap pale tan with brown scales; Gills dark brown; Stem white/pale.
Smell:
Unknown
Growth Pattern:
Cannot assess
Environment:
Leaf litter
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat:
Deciduous or mixed forest floor
Distribution:
Widespread across Northern Hemisphere (Europe, North America)
Seasonality:
Autumn
Critical Features for Confirmation
- Crucial odor test missing for distinguishing toxic lookalikes.
- Stem base view required to check for diagnostic yellow staining.
Economic Value
Market Demand:
Unknown
Price Range:
N/A
Commercial Use:
None
Similar Species
Yellow Stainer
Agaricus xanthodermus
Key Differences:
- Stains bright chrome yellow when scratched, especially at stem base.
- Strong, unpleasant phenolic or carbolic acid odor.
Meadow Mushroom
Agaricus campestris
Key Differences:
- Cap usually smoother, less scaly.
- Context does not typically stain red upon cutting.
Recommended Action
Do not consume. Definitive identification requires chemical testing (odor, staining reaction at stem base) which is not possible via images.