Description

The cap of the meadow mushroom is usually from 5 to 12 centimeters wide, and the whole cap is white. Eventually, older specimens can have a slight brownish tone. The cap is convex when young, and opens up fully when older. The stipe can be from 3 to 6 centimeters tall. It is a bit wider at the bottom, and it is also white colored. The gills are free, dense and are pale red colored. The spore print of this mushroom is brown.

Chemical reactions

The flesh reacts with guaiacol, forming a purple coloration. The surface of the stipe reacts with iron sulphate, thereby forming a orange coloration.

Habitat

This type of mushrooms grows well in cornfields, meadows, pastures and similar open terrains. It can be found throughout Europe and North America.

Season

Meadow mushrooms usually grow from May until the end of the fall, especially after heavy rain periods.

Edibility

Edible and very tasty. They can be prepared in many different ways. Meadow mushrooms are excellent for pickling too.

Similar species

There are certain subspecies of the meadow mushroom. Fortunately, all of them are of equal quality. There is a slight possibility of confusing this mushroom with Agaricus xanthoderma. However, the mentioned mushroom is different from the meadow mushroom in that its stipe turns yellow when cut.