Agaricus silvicola

Agaricus silvicola, also known as the wood mushroom, is a species of Agaricus mushroom related to the button mushroom.

Agaricus silvicola
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Agaricaceae
Genus: Agaricus
Species:
A. silvicola
Binomial name
Agaricus silvicola
(Vittad.) Peck (1872)
Agaricus silvicola
float
Mycological characteristics
gills on hymenium
cap is convex or flat
hymenium is free
stipe has a ring
spore print is brown
ecology is saprotrophic
edibility: edible or can cause allergic reactions

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.[1]

Description

The cap is light cream, and bruises yellow ochre when damaged. It is 5–10 centimetres (2.0–3.9 in) in diameter, which makes it slightly smaller than its close relative Agaricus arvensis, the "horse mushroom". The stem is long, slim, and usually has a bulbous base. It is much the same colour as the cap, and has a fragile drooping ring. The flesh is thin and white, and smells of aniseed.[2] It looks fairly similar to a young death cap.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Agaricus silvicola grows in both deciduous and coniferous woodland in Britain, Europe, and North America.[4] Appearing in the autumn, it is rarely seen in huge numbers, usually just a few, or solitary.[2]

Edibility

It is edible and popular in Europe.[5][6] It is suspected to have caused an allergic reaction in a few people in North America.[3] (this reference is not supported by clinical cases).

Similar species

See also

References
  1. "Agaricus silvicola (Vittad.) Peck". MycoBank. International Mycological Association. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
  2. Roger Phillips (2006). Mushrooms. Pan MacMillan. ISBN 0-330-44237-6.
  3. "California Fungi—Agaricus silvicola". Retrieved January 18, 2008.
  4. Arora, David (1986). Mushrooms Demystified. Ten Speed Press. ISBN 0-89815-169-4.
  5. "Agaricus sylvicola (Vittad.) Peck". Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
  6. "Agaricus silvicola (Vittad.) Peck (1887)". Retrieved January 18, 2008.
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