Agaricus didymus
(Woodland Agaricus, Agaricus Silvicola, Agaricus sylvicola)
Habitat
This mushroom is found under Spruce in the mountains. It grows on the ground and has a preference for Spruce needle duff.
Description
This mushroom stains yellow to golden when bruised or handled. The cap ages from white to a nice golden color. Notice the cogwheel shape on veil (some other Agaricus have this too). It is closely related to Agaricus arvensis (The Horse Mushroom which grows in lawns & fields in the city). It has a distinct almond / cherry smell (when fresh) and a bulbous stem base that is usually curved.
This mushroom is fairly easy to identify once you smell one and get use to it. We used to call this mushroom and other similar woodland species Agaricus sylvicola (described from New York but also found in California) which can be found in many books and guides. This particular species was named Agaricus didymus in 2016. There are also several different similar Woodland Agaricus in Colorado, some not even named. Similar arvenses relatives include Agaricus gemellatus and Agaricus moronii which are somewhat larger with less golden coloring. There are 20 some yellow staining Agaricus in the arvenses section in North America that are still being separated by spore size and DNA sequencing including at least 12 in the Rocky Mountains.
They cook up to a nice golden yellow color. Also fantastic as a pizza topping.
Location
Colorado
Smell
Almond
Spore Print
Chocolate Brown
Edibility
Edible
Color
White turning Golden yellow.
Last Updated
May 03 2024 09:27 AM
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