California Agaricus vs Field Mushroom
Agaricus californicus and Agaricus campestris are confused for one another often enough to be worth putting next to each other.
Comes up on Californian lawns among the edible field mushrooms, smelling of ink or phenol. One of the commonest causes of mushroom sickness in the state, for exactly that reason.
The classic meadow mushroom: pink gills darkening to chocolate brown, pleasant mushroomy smell, no yellow staining.
Side by side
| Agaricus californicus | Agaricus campestris | |
|---|---|---|
| In this game | Poisonous | Edible |
| Habitat | Not recorded yet | Grazed pasture, meadows and lawns, away from trees. |
| Season | Not recorded yet | Late summer to autumn. |
| Spore print | Not recorded yet | Dark brown. |
This comparison cannot make a mushroom safe to eat. It sets out the few characteristics this game records, in general terms, for two species that vary by region, age and growing conditions. Real specimens overlap in ways no table and no photograph can separate, and the deadly one here is deadly in a single meal. Ask a qualified local expert, every time.
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Agaricus californicus is also confused with Button Mushroom / Portobello.
Agaricus campestris is also confused with Yellow Stainer, Eastern Destroying Angel, Western Destroying Angel, Death Cap, Livid Entoloma, Deadly Fibrecap, Deadly Dapperling and Horse Mushroom.
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