About this fungus
Macro Mushroom is a fungus in the Agaricaceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A very large, robust Agaricus of open grassland and grassy edges, with a pale cap, free gills that mature from pinkish to dark brown, and a broad hanging ring.
What to check
Check the complete stem base for the absence of a volva, then look for free gills that change from pale grey-pink to dark brown and a thick hanging ring whose underside may have a cogwheel pattern. Young specimens can smell faintly of almonds, while older ones may develop an ammonia-like odour. Odour alone is not enough for identification.
Variation
The cap is initially white but may become pale ochre or yellow slightly with age. Size, yellowing and odour vary, and the names Agaricus urinascens, A. macrosporus and A. crocodilinus have been applied differently by different authorities.
Lookalikes
Horse Mushroom and other large pale Agaricus overlap closely. Yellow Stainer usually shows stronger chrome-yellow staining at the stem base and an unpleasant chemical odour. A white Amanita may retain white gills and have a volva, so the intact stem base and mature gill colour are essential checks.
Habitat and range
Saprotrophic in pasture, roadside grass, woodland edges and clearings, chiefly reported from Europe and neighbouring temperate regions, often in arcs or rings.
Food safety
Edible and good.
Use this profile to learn what to examine and compare, not as proof that a mushroom is safe to eat. Check the whole specimen and every important lookalike before reaching an identification.
Photographs
Traumrune / CC BY-SA 3.0
James Lindsey / CC BY-SA 3.0Species to compare
Similar mushrooms to compare against: