Garden Fungi – Agaricus xanthodermus

 

Grows in SOIL and GRASS.
 
All gilled macro-fungi are broadly referred to as Agarics. The gills are the spore-bearing organ which is protected by the cap. At maturity, the spores fall to the ground.
 
This fungus has the common name “Yellow Stainer”. The stem stains bright yellow when scraped and it has a very strong foul smell. In appearance, it can be confused with some edible field mushrooms. A number of Agaricus xanthodermus-like fungi are being reported in Queensland, which may prove to be different species.
 
Queensland Health and the EPA list this fungus as a Toxic Category 2.
 
Fruit-body: Initially white, aging to a brownish-grey and may be smooth or slightly scaly. The juvenile shape is round, but unlike a button mushroom, it is more like a piece of pipe with flattened top; aging to convex then plane with a diameter to 150 mm. The gills are very crowded; initially may be white to pale pink, aging to dark brown.
 
Stem: White, central, stains bright yellow when rubbed or cut; it can be up to 80 mm in length with a 20 mm diameter, has a double ring and a bulbous base.
 
Spore print: Chocolate brown.
 
Smell: Foul – phenolic or carbolic.
 
Habit: Maybe solitary or in groups or rings, in soil or grass.
 
Notes: This is a saprotrophic fungus.
 
This is a Fungimap target species.