Agaricus praeclaresquamosus Freeman
Mycotaxon 8: 90. 1979.

Common Name: none

Misapplied names: Agaricus placomyces, Agaricus meleagris

• Pileus

  Cap 7-19 cm broad, cylindrical to convex, expanding to nearly plane in age; surface dry, ground color pallid to white, covered with fine, appressed greyish-brown scales, concentrated at the disc; flesh white, thick, slowly becoming vinaceous when injured; odor strongly of phenol; yellowing in KOH.

• Lamellae

  Gills free, close, at first whitish, then pink, finally blackish-brown.

• Stipe

  Stipe 8-15 cm long, 2-3.5 cm thick, equal to slightly enlarged at base; surface white, smooth above and below the ring; veil membranous, thick, white, upper and lower surface smooth, forming a medially positioned, persistent ring; stipe base typically yellowing when bruised and smelling of phenol.

• Spores

  Spores 4-6.0 x 3.5-4.5 µm, smooth, elliptical; spore print blackish-brown.

• Habitat

  Solitary, in small groups, or cespitose clusters on disturbed ground under conifers; fruiting from early to mid-winter.

• Edibility

  Toxic; like other phenolic-odored Agaricus species, it can cause gastrointestinal upsets.

• Comments

  Agaricus praeclaresquamosus is a large, strikingly beautiful mushroom which unfortunately for the mycophagist, is toxic. Its squamulose cap and stature resemble Agaricus augustus, an excellent edible, but the latter has tawny-brown not grey-brown cap scales, an anise, not phenol odor, and the flesh does not discolor vinaceous-brown. Additionally, Agaricus praeclaresquamosus fruits from mid to late winter, while A. augustus fruits usually during the late spring, summer and early fall.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Brother Alfred Brousseau: Agaricus praeclaresquamosus (CP)
  • Ari Kornfeld: Agaricus praeclaresquamosus (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Agaricus praeclaresquamosus (CP)
  • Eileen's Mushroom Mania: Agaricus praeclaresquamosus (CP)
  • Botanische Staatssammlung M黱chen: Agaricus praeclaresquamosus (I)
  • Arora (1985): p. 329 (D), plate 76 (CP)
  • Arora (1991): p. 108 (D & CP)
  • Benjamin: plate 17 (CP)
  • Breitenbach & Kränzlin (vol. 4): sp. 188 (D, I, & CP)
  • Jordan: p. 226 (D & CP)
  • Kerrigan: p.42 (D & CP)
  • Lincoff: p. 507 (D), plate 152 (CP) [Agaricus meleagris]
  • McKenny et al.: p. 148 (D & CP)
  • Phillips: p. 194 (D & CP)

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)