Agaricus arvensis


Agaricus arvensis, commonly known as the horse mushroom, is a mushroom of the genus Agaricus.

Taxonomy

It was described as Agaricus arvensis by Jacob Christian Schaeffer in 1762, and given numerous binomial descriptions since. Its specific name arvensis means 'of the field'.

Description

The cap is similar to that of Agaricus campestris. The gills are white at first. They later pass through grey and brown to become dull chocolate. There is a large spreading ring, white above but sometimes with yellowish scales underneath. Viewed from below, on a closed-cap specimen, the twin-layered ring has a well-developed 'cogwheel' pattern around the stipe. This is the lower part of the double ring. The odor is described as like anise. It belongs to a group of Agaricus which tend to stain yellow on bruising.

Similar species

It is one of the largest white Agaricus species in Britain, West Asia and North America.
Frequently found near stables, as well as in meadows, it may form fairy rings. The mushroom is often found growing with nettles. It is sometimes found associated with spruce.

Conservation

This mushroom is considered common and widespread, and is not a conservation concern.

Edibility

Much prized by farmers for generations, the horse mushroom is regarded as one of the most delicious edible fungi, although the fruitbodies of this and other yellow-staining Agaricus species often have a build-up of heavy metals, such as cadmium and copper.

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