Agaricus augustus, the prince, is one of the largest Agaricus species. Its cap is covered in dense concentric brown scales on a white to yellowish ground, it smells strongly of almond extract or marzipan (benzaldehyde and benzyl alcohol), and it bears a large pendulous ring. It is a saprotroph of humus-rich soil in woods, gardens, verges and disturbed ground.
Choice edible for most people. Look-alikes include toxic Amanita species (white gills, white spore print, volva; some stain yellow or smell unpleasant), the toxic Agaricus moelleri and other Agaricus. It accumulates cadmium (one Swiss study found 2.44 mg/kg fresh weight), more so near smelters and in urban areas, so avoid polluted sites and eat it in moderation.
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Habitat
Saprotrophic on humus-rich soil in deciduous and coniferous woods, gardens, roadside verges and disturbed ground; tolerant of human activity. Season: Late summer and autumn in Europe; April to December in North America.
Distribution
Europe, North Africa, Asia and North America.
Characteristics
Cap: 8–30 cm across; hemispherical in the button, then convex to flat; dry, with dense concentric brown scales on a white to yellow background; may yellow when bruised; cuticle yellow with 10% KOH. Gills: Free, crowded; pallid at first, then pink, then dark brown. Stem: 7–30 cm tall, 2–6 cm thick, club-shaped; white to yellowish and smooth above the ring, with many small scales below; base set deep in the substrate. Ring: Pendulous; the young veil is white with darker warts. Flesh: Thick, white, sometimes with a narrow central hollow in the stem. Odor: Strong and sweet, of almond extract, marzipan or maraschino cherry. Spore print: Chocolate brown; spores ellipsoid, 7–10 × 4.5–6.5 µm; basidia 4-spored.
