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A popular edible fungus known for growing in rings or arcs in grassy areas. It is prized for its pleasant, nutty flavor and ability to withstand drying and rehydration.
How to Identify
- Cap
- Convex to flat with a central umbo; light brown to tan, fading to pale buff when dry.
- Gills
- Broad, widely spaced, and free from the stem.
- Stem
- Very tough, fibrous, and smooth; same color as the cap.
- Flesh
- Thin, white, and resistant to decay.
- Fruiting body
- Small, tough mushroom with a cap 2-5 cm wide.
- Habitat
- Found in lawns, pastures, and grassy areas.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Smooth, glabrous
- Growth Form: Cespitose or scattered in rings
- Spore Print: White
- Body color: Tan to cream
- Odor: Mildly nutty/fungal
- Flesh bruises: Does not change color
- Height: 4-8 cm
- Cap Diameter: 2-5 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Saprotrophic
Safe
SafeNon-toxic, but look-alikes like Clitocybe dealbata are poisonous. Always verify the wide spacing of the gills.
Quick Check
- Odor: Pleasantly mild and mushroomy; sometimes slightly nutty.
- Fruiting: Spring through autumn.
- Substrate: Grass and soil.
Where to Find
Lawns and Meadows
Common in open, sunny grassy fields and well-maintained lawns.
Global Distribution
Widespread across temperate regions of North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
Finding Tips
Look for Circles
Search for rings or crescents of darker green grass, which indicates the underlying mycelium.
Drought Resistance
These mushrooms are famous for 'reviving' after rains even after they appear to have withered away.
Similar Species
Clitocybe dealbata
Ivory funnel
Also known as: Sweating mushroom
Chlorophyllum molybdites
Green-spored lepiota
Also known as: The vomiter
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Agaricales
- Family
- Marasmiaceae
- Genus
- Marasmius
Storage Information
- Max Temperature: 25C
- Freezing duration: 6 months
- Min Temperature: 1C
- Refrigeration: 5 days
How to Clean
Gently brush off debris. Because the stems are tough and fibrous, it is standard practice to discard the stems and use only the caps.
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