John Miller
The parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) is a forager favourite and a great beginner fungi for anyone wanting to start wild mushroom foraging. It is a well-regarded edible mushroom with a pleasant mushroom-like smell and flavour. It is commonly found in Europe, where it is valued for its size and culinary versatility. However, it has a troublesome toxic lookalike called Chlorophyllum molybdites, also known as the false parasol, which causes the largest number of annual mushroom poisonings in North America. To spot a parasol mushroom, look for a large, prominent fruiting body resembling a parasol umbrella with a brown 'nipple' in the centre of its white cap. The cap should be at least 12cm in diameter, and the mushroom should have a slender stalk and a snakeskin pattern.
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What You'll Learn
- Parasol mushrooms are large and can be spotted from a distance
- They are white or cream-coloured with a brown 'nipple' in the centre
- They have a distinctive snakeskin pattern on the stem
- They are found in fields, woods, and roadsides, often in fairy rings
- They are toxic if eaten raw and can cause gastric distress
Parasol mushrooms are large and can be spotted from a distance
Parasol mushrooms are easy to identify and can be recognised by their large size. They have a distinctive brown 'nipple' raised in the centre of the cap, which is cream-white and patterned with light brown scales. The cap can be as big as dinner plates, or even bigger, with a slender stalk holding them up. The gills are white to cream, crowded, and free. The stalk is relatively thin, growing up to 12-40 cm long and 1.5 cm thick. The thick, double skirt is not attached very well and can usually be moved up and down the stem. The mushroom has a pleasant mushroom-like smell, which some say is reminiscent of warm milk.
It's important to be able to distinguish Parasol mushrooms from their toxic lookalikes, such as the False Parasol (Chlorophyllum molybdites), which is also known as the Green-Spored Parasol. This toxic mushroom has faintly green gills and a pale green spore print, and it lacks the snakeskin pattern that is generally present on the Parasol mushroom's stem. Another toxic lookalike is the Shaggy Parasol, which has a smooth stem and will blush reddish when bruised or cut.
Parasol mushrooms are commonly found in Europe and are considered a delicacy in France, where they are known by various names, including "coulemelle" and "grizzette". They are also found in North America, but foragers in this region must be cautious due to the presence of the toxic False Parasol.
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They are white or cream-coloured with a brown 'nipple' in the centre
When searching for parasol mushrooms, look for a distinctive white or cream colour, with a brown nipple-like feature in the centre. This central, nipple-like feature is the remains of the mushroom's partial veil, which covers the gills as the mushroom grows. When the mushroom is mature enough, this veil tears, leaving just the central, brown nipple-like feature.
The white or cream colour of the parasol mushroom can vary in tone, from a bright, pure white to a more muted, creamy off-white. Sometimes, the mushroom's cap may also have a slight pinkish hue, especially in younger specimens. However, the central feature should always be a darker brown colour, providing a clear contrast.
As the mushroom ages, the cap may flatten, and the gills will become more visible. These gills are another key identification feature, as they are a pale salmon or pink colour, in stark contrast to the white or cream cap. However, when the mushroom is
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They have a distinctive snakeskin pattern on the stem
The parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) is a forager favourite and is often sought after due to its size and culinary versatility. It is also a reliable grower, a mushroom you can depend on returning every year. It is a fairly common species found on well-drained soils. It is widespread in temperate regions of Eurasia and possibly North America. It is commonly found in pastures, woodlands, forest edges, and occasionally within forests themselves.
Parasol mushrooms are large enough to spot from afar. They are round and bulbous when young, even when the mushroom is up to 20 cm high. As it matures, it opens into a large flat parasol up to 30 cm across, maturing scaly in rings as the skin stretches and cracks through growth. The gills are white to cream, free and quite crowded. The cap is cream-white, patterned with light brown scales. The stipe is relatively thin, growing up to 12–40 cm long and 1.5 cm thick, reaching its full height before the cap expands.
The distinctive feature of the parasol mushroom is the presence of a snakeskin pattern on the stem. This pattern is generally present on the parasol mushroom and helps differentiate it from its toxic look-alikes. The toxic false parasol (Chlorophyllum molybdites) is also known as the vomiter and is responsible for several mushroom poisonings. It is the most eaten poisonous mushroom in North America. It looks very similar to the parasol mushroom but lacks the snakeskin pattern on the stem.
It is important to exercise caution when foraging for parasol mushrooms. While the presence of the snakeskin pattern on the stem is a good indicator, other features to look out for include the size, colour, and smell of the mushroom. Additionally, it is recommended to only pick parasol mushrooms past their button stage to avoid confusion with toxic species.
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They are found in fields, woods, and roadsides, often in fairy rings
Parasol mushrooms are commonly found in fields, woods, and roadsides. They are also frequently found on roadside verges, in neglected pastureland, and on grassy seaside cliffs in summer and autumn. They are known to grow in dense numbers, scattered throughout a grassy area.
Parasol mushrooms are generally found in rings, often in fairy rings, or sometimes troops. They always grow singularly, never in clumps or overlapping. However, they will often be in close proximity to each other. They are tall and wide, with caps that can be as big as dinner plates, making them hard to miss.
They are frequently found along the edges of fields, woods, and roads, and can often be spotted from a distance. They are commonly found in southern Britain and Ireland, but less common in northern England and Scotland, except for sheltered coastal locations. They are also found in most parts of mainland Europe and the USA.
Parasol mushrooms are considered a great beginner fungi for anyone wanting to start wild mushroom foraging. They are edible and have a pleasant mushroom-like smell, which some say resembles warm milk. They are also known for their firm texture and pleasant mushroom flavour.
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They are toxic if eaten raw and can cause gastric distress
While parasol mushrooms are edible, there are some key things to keep in mind. Firstly, there are different varieties of parasol mushrooms, including the true parasol, the shaggy parasol, and the false parasol. The true parasol mushroom, or Macrolepiota procera, is considered a great edible variety. It has a pleasant mushroomy smell, a firm texture, and a nice flavour.
However, the shaggy parasol variety can cause gastric abnormalities in some people, so it is recommended to cook them before consumption. They are distinguishable from the true parasol by their reddish blushing stems when cut or bruised, and the lack of a snakeskin pattern.
The false parasol, or Chlorophyllum molybdites, is toxic if eaten raw and can cause severe gastric distress, including vomiting and cramps. It is the most eaten poisonous mushroom in North America due to its resemblance to several edible species, including the true parasol and the shaggy parasol. To differentiate the false parasol from the true parasol, examine the spore print. The false parasol has greenish spores, while the true parasol has white spores.
It is important to correctly identify the variety of parasol mushroom before consuming it to avoid any adverse effects. If you suspect poisoning from consuming a parasol mushroom, seek immediate medical attention or contact poison control.
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Frequently asked questions
The parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) is a large mushroom with a prominent fruiting body that resembles an umbrella. It has a white/cream cap patterned with light brown scales and a slender stalk. It is fairly common and can be found in pastures, woodlands, forests, and occasionally within forests themselves.
False parasols (Chlorophyllum molybdites) are toxic and widespread in North America. They look very similar to parasol mushrooms, but can be identified by their faintly green gills and lack of a snakeskin pattern on the stem.
Shaggy parasols are smaller than true parasols and have a smooth stem without the snakeskin pattern. While they are edible, they can cause gastric abnormalities in some people.
Parasol mushrooms can be found as early as late July, but they are most commonly seen from late August through September. They fruit directly from the ground and are often found in fairy rings.
