Common Edible Mushrooms

COMMON EDIBLE MUSHROOMS
turn almost black. The base of the stem is often slightly enlarged
or bulbous, but it has no surrounding volva, or cup. Before the
gills turn pink, Agaricus and deadly Amanita appear deceptively
similar, but once the color of the spores is known there is no
danger of confusing Agaricus with any of the poisonous mushrooms.
Several species of this genus are commonly found on lawns,
in pastures, and in fields. All of them are equally good to eat,
being among the best of the edible fungi.
Edible and choice: AGARICUS ABRUPXIBULBA
Figure 43. Agaricus abruptibulba.
Edible and choice.
This bulbous-stemmed Agaricus
(see Figures 43 and 44) is
a common woods mushroom in
late summer and fall, appearing
in scattered groups or partial
fairy rings from July until September,
generally in hardwood
forests. The cap is large, from 5
to 8 inches in diameter, and the
stem is from 6 to 8 inches long,
tapering gracefully upward from
a base enlarged to a spherical
bulb. The surface of the cap is
silky white; when scratched with
a finger nail or sharply bruised
it turns yellow. This feature and
the large size and the bulbous
base of the stem constitute the identifying characteristics of
A. abruptibulba.
The gills, white when the cap first opens, soon turn pink, then
purple-brown. The ring on the stem of young specimens is very
conspicuous, as can be seen in the illustration, but later disappears.
This is an excellent mushroom for eating because of its
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