Macro Mushroom
Occasional, but being a large mushroom can often be seen from a distance. Can easily be confused with the Horse Mushroom but both are great tasting mushrooms so it’s not a problem.
Scientific Name – Agaricus crocodilinus
Please note that each and every mushroom you come across may vary in appearance to these photos.
Cap
10 to 25 cm when mature. Convex opening out flat becoming scaled and splitting at the edges when mature. Can remains of the veil hanging on the edges. Off-white sometimes with a pale yellow or brown flush.
Gills
Crowded and free of the stem. Starting pale pink and turning to brown then almost black.
Stem
8-14 cm long, 2-3.5 cm diameter. White/cream and covered in floccules below the skirt. The stem tapers towards both the cap and base.
Skirt
Has a flimsy, superior skirt with floccules on the underside.
Flesh
White and firm, flushing red/pink in the stem when cut.
Habitat
Pastures, lawns and anywhere grassy. Growing in rings or sometimes individually.
Possible Confusion
The toxic Yellow Stainer (Agaricus xanthodermus), but this mushrooms flesh stains chrome yellow when bruised or cut and smells of phenol or Indian ink.
The Horse Mushroom (Agaricus arvensis) looks similar but has a smooth stem, unlike the floccule covered stem, below the skirt, of the Macro Mushroom.
Spore Print
Brown. Ellipsoid.
