A brown-scaled Agaricus of humus-rich, disturbed, tree-shaded ground such as woodland edges, verges, parks and gardens. The universal veil forms a volva-like boot on the pointed stem base. Its flesh turns pink to reddish when cut, especially in the stem base.
Reported edible but of indifferent or poor culinary quality. Brown-capped Agaricus that turn yellow when cut, such as the poisonous A. xanthodermus group and A. placomyces, must be excluded; this species reddens instead.
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Habitat
Saprobic, in small groups or singly on humus-rich, disturbed, tree-shaded ground: woodland edges, roadside verges, parks and gardens with leaf litter. Season July to November in Britain and Ireland.
Distribution
Widely distributed but generally uncommon in northern and central Europe; infrequent in Britain and Ireland. Also reported from parts of western North America (First Nature).
Characteristics
Cap: 6-15 cm, spherical becoming broadly convex to nearly flat, with appressed brown scales on a pale creamy-white background. Gills: free, crowded, white at first, then greyish pink, then dark brown. Stem: 5-12 cm long, 1.5-3 cm thick, whitish, cylindrical to slightly clavate with a pointed base and a volva-like boot; ring superior to median, triangular in section; lower stem flecked with brown veil fragments. Flesh: white, turning pink to reddish when cut, especially in the stem base. Odour: mushroomy, said to become liquorice-like with age. Spore print: chocolate brown. Spores: ellipsoid to ovoid, smooth, 5.5-7.5 x 4.8-6 um (First Nature).
