(19 votes, average: 4.05 out of 5)
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Pavement Mushroom
Edible 
Autumn 
Spring 
Summer 
This fungi can grow through dry, compacted soil or even asphalt and seems to prefer growing beside paths and roads hence its common name.
| Mushroom Type | |
| Common Names | Pavement Mushroom (EN), Madarch Palmentydd (CY), Pieczarka Miejska (PL), Ízletes Csiperke (HU) |
| Scientific Name | Agaricus bitorquis |
| Season Start | May |
| Season End | Oct |
| Average Mushroom height (CM) | 6-10 |
| Average Cap width (CM) | 8-12 |
Cap
8-12 cm. White and convex opening out to flat in mature specimens. The cap is often covered in mud and dust.
Gills
Crowded, not joined to the stem. Gills off white/grey at first soon turning pink to dark brown.
Stem
6-10cm long, 1.5-2 cm diameter. Robust, white and often tapering at the base.
Skirt
Has an inferior, double edged skirt, obvious in this picture, not always so on other Pavement Mushrooms.
Flesh
Meaty white flesh turning slightly pink on cutting.
Habitat
Roadsides, path edges, under trees, bare soil, gardens or manure.
Possible Confusion
The Yellow Stainer (Agaricus xanthodermus), but this mushroom stains chrome yellow when bruised or cut and smells of Indian ink, hospitals or iodine and not edible. Can look similar to some of the Amanitas when young and white gilled.
Spore Print
Brown. Subglobose.
Taste / Smell
Strong and mushroomy. Should be cooked before consumption.
Frequency
Uncommon.
Other Facts
This seems to be the favourite mushroom of choice for maggots and even mushrooms that have just broken the surface are usually riddled with them. They are great tasting if you can find them maggot free or don’t mind the extra protein!
5 comments for Pavement Mushroom
Found these growing in last years leaf mould stored in a wheelie bin!
I think I’ve just found two huge ones of these in my old compost bin,
I have just witnessed the pavement mushroom coming through the pavement on a laneway.
Unbelievable!
Thanks for this. Just had these with garlic butter. Delicious.
I’ve had two come up through the tarmac of my driveway. Wonder how I can stop them destroying my driveway, would happily encourage them elsewhere.