Western Destroying Angel vs Field Mushroom
Amanita ocreata and Agaricus campestris are confused for one another often enough to be worth putting next to each other.
Fruits in a Californian spring rather than in autumn, which catches out anyone watching for the usual mushroom season. It poisons dogs there most years.
The classic meadow mushroom: pink gills darkening to chocolate brown, pleasant mushroomy smell, no yellow staining.
Side by side
| Amanita ocreata | 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 campestris is also confused with California Agaricus, Yellow Stainer, Eastern Destroying Angel, Death Cap, Livid Entoloma, Deadly Fibrecap, Deadly Dapperling and Horse Mushroom.
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