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Tricholoma equestre, commonly known as the Yellow Knight or Man on Horseback, is a mushroom of the agaric genus Tricholoma. It was first described scientifically as Agaricus equestris by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, and was later transferred to the genus Tricholoma by Paul Kummer in 1871. Long regarded as edible, it has been implicated in several cases of rhabdomyolysis since 1990, and is now considered poisonous.
How to Identify
- Cap
- Convex to flattened, 4–10 cm in diameter, often with a broad umbo, smooth, slimy when moist, yellow with an olive-brown center.
- Gills
- Adnate to adnexed, crowded closely together, yellow.
- Stem
- 4–7 cm long, 1–2 cm thick, white to pale yellow.
- Flesh
- White to pale yellow, mild, farinaceous odor and taste.
- Fruiting body
- The cap of Tricholoma equestre is convex to flattened, 4–10 cm (1.6–3.9 in) in diameter, and often has a broad umbo. The cap surface is smooth, and slimy when moist. The gills are adnate to adnexed, crowded closely together, and yellow. The stem is 4–7 cm (1.6–2.8 in) long, 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) thick, and white to pale yellow. The flesh is white to pale yellow, and has a mild, farinaceous odor and taste.
- Habitat
- Grows in coniferous forests, often near pine trees. It is found in Europe and North America.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Smooth, slimy when moist
- Growth Form: Solitary to scattered
- Spore Print: White
- Body color: Yellow
- Odor: Farinaceous
- Flesh bruises: No bruising
- Height: 4–7 cm
- Cap Diameter: 4–10 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Mycorrhizal
Toxic
Severe ToxicityTricholoma equestre has been implicated in several cases of rhabdomyolysis since 1990 and is now considered poisonous. Symptoms include muscle pain, weakness, and elevated creatine kinase levels.
Quick Check
- Odor: Farinaceous
- Fruiting: Fall
- Substrate: Sandy soils under pine trees
Where to Find
Europe
Found throughout Europe, particularly in coniferous forests.
North America
Occurs in North America, often associated with pine trees.
Finding Tips
Habitat
Look for Tricholoma equestre in sandy soils under pine trees in coniferous forests.
Season
Fruiting occurs in the fall.
Similar Species
Tricholoma flavovirens
mushroom
Also known as: Gasthofkoech
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Agaricales
- Family
- Tricholomataceae
- Genus
- Tricholoma
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