Wild Mushroom (Agaricus campestre)

MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION:

– Cap: Like almost all Agaricus, it evolves from the globular shape of its youth to the extended convex shape at maturity. Its size varies between 3 and 12 cm in diameter. It has a thick, detachable, white cuticle, on which scales appear more or less noticeable depending on the specimen, of a creamy gray color. The margin is very surplus, extending beyond the flesh of the hat. When cut, it is narrow, thin and evolves to incurved.

– Lamellae: Free, tightly packed, pinkish-white, changing to dark brown and later to black due to the appearance of spores.

– Stipe: Cylindrical, thick, tenacious, slightly thinner at the base -fusiform-. It is white in color. It measures up to 7 cm. in length and 1 to 2 cm. in diameter. It has a simple, membranous, thin, narrow ring, at first persistent, later fleeting, but always leaving traces. It is located on the top of the foot.

– Flesh: Consistent, white that when cut takes on a soft pinkish color, especially at the junction of the foot and cap. Very pleasant taste and smell.

ECOLOGY:
– They appear abundantly from early spring to late autumn and in all types of grasslands, especially in pastures for animals. It is also common in fertilized gardens and lawns.

EDIBILITY:
– Very good, tastier than cultivated mushrooms – Agaricusbisporus (J.E. Lange) Imbach-, which does not necessarily make it better in the kitchen. It is possibly the best known and most cooked wild mushroom.

– As with all Agaricus, it is advisable not to collect mature specimens with black laminae. In the latter case, they should be removed before cooking, not only because of their poor and unpleasant gastronomic quality, but also to avoid possible digestive problems for delicate stomachs.

PRECAUTIONS:
– As with all edible Agaricus one must be very careful with the white amanitas, Amanita verna (Bull.) Lam., Amanita virosa Secr. or the Amanita phalloides var. alba Costantin & L.M. Dufour, with the same habitat but having white volva and lamellae.

– With other Agaricus such as
Agaricus arvensis
Jacob Schaeffer:Secretan, larger and smoother, with persistent ring, double, yellowing flesh and an anise-like odor.

– More dangerous is to be confused with specimens of
Agaricus xanthodermus
Genevier, toxic, with unpleasant odor and taste, trapezoidal shape of the cap and color change from white to yellow when damaged, especially at the base of the foot.

COMMENTS:
– It is possibly the best known and most sought after mushroom by enthusiasts. Not only is it easy to recognize -with the precautions already described-, but it is also abundant and has an exquisite flavor.