Agaricus silvaticus

Agaricus silvaticus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Subclass: Homobasidiomycetidae
Order: Agaricales
Family: Agaricaceae
Genus: Agaricus
Species: A. silvaticus
Binomial name
Agaricus silvaticus
Agaricus silvaticus

Agaricus silvaticus (or Agaricus sylvaticus), otherwise known as the Scaly Wood Mushroom, Blushing Wood Mushroom or Pinewood Mushroom, is a common, edible mushroom, often found in groups in coniferous forests from early summer, or September through to November in Europe, North Africa and North America.

Description

The greyish-brown cap is hemispherical when young, but later flattens out up to 10 cm in diameter. It is covered with broad scales. The gills are grey when young, and become much darker with age. The spores are chocolate brown. The stem is brownish, often with a hanging ring and a small bulb at the base.[1] The flesh is white with a mild taste, turning reddish when cut. The young fruit bodies are well suited for consumption.

Naming

The species name sylvaticus (or silvaticus) means "of the woods". Both spellings are found in the literature, but Species Fungorum gives sylvaticus as the current name and so that version should be preferred.[2][3]

Similar species

Agaricus haemorrhoidarius is normally considered a synonym, but has also been defined as a separate species, distinguished by its flesh which immediately turns red when cut. Agaricus phaeolepidotus is distinguished by a stem which yellows (in addition to turning pink) when cut. The cap background is browner than A. silvaticus and its smell suggests iodine or ink. Tricholoma vaccinum looks similar from above but has no ring and develops reddish-brown gills.

See also

List of Agaricus species

References

  1. ↑ E. Garnweidner. Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe. Collins. 1994.
  2. ↑ Knudsen, H.; Vesterholt, J., eds. (2008). Funga Nordica Agaricoid, boletoid and cyphelloid genera. Copenhagen: Nordsvamp. p. 525. ISBN 978-87-983961-3-0.
  3. ↑ "Species Fungorum Agaricus sylvaticus page". Index Fungorum. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Retrieved 2017-01-01.
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