Agaricus praeclaresquamosus Freeman
Mycotaxon 8: 90. 1979.

Common Name: none

Misapplied names: Agaricus placomyces Peck; Agaricus meleagris (Schaeff.) Pilát

• 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.

• References

  Kerrigan, Richard W. (1986). The Agaricales (Gilled Fungi) of California. 6. Agaricaceae. Mad River Press: Eureka, CA. 62 p.
  Kerrigan, R.W., Callac, P., Guinberteau, J., Challen, M.P. & Parra, L. (2005). Agaricus section Xanthodermatei: a phylogenetic reconstruction with commentary on taxa. Mycologia 97: 1292-1315.

Other Descriptions and Photos
• Dimitar Bojantchev: Agaricus praeclaresquamosus (CP)
• Ari Kornfeld: Agaricus praeclaresquamosus (CP)
• Fred Stevens: Agaricus praeclaresquamosus (CP)
• Michael Wood: Agaricus praeclaresquamosus (CP)
• Eileen's Mushroom Mania: Agaricus praeclaresquamosus (CP)
• Botanische Staatssammlung München: Agaricus praeclaresquamosus (I)
• Mushroom Observer: Agaricus praeclaresquamosus (CP)
• Arora (1986): 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) [as Agaricus meleagris]
• McKenny et al.: p. 148 (D & CP)
• Phillips: p. 194 (D & CP)



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