(25 votes, average: 4.32 out of 5)
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Scaly Wood Mushroom
Edible 
Autumn 
Summer 
A great tasting mushroom with flesh that bruises or oxidises red. Similar in looks to The Prince (Agaricus augustus), though smaller in size.
| Mushroom Type | |
| Common Names | The Great Wood Mushroom, Madarch Cennog y Coed (CY), Pieczarka Krwawiąca (PL), Kárminhúsú Csiperke (HU) |
| Scientific Name | Agaricus langei |
| Season Start | Jun |
| Season End | Oct |
| Average Mushroom height (CM) | 5-10 |
| Average Cap width (CM) | 5-15 |
Cap
5-15 cm. Spherical when young becoming convex. Covered in concentric slightly reddish brown scales on a white to pale yellow background.
Gills
Crowded. Free of the stem. Gills starting pink, maturing to dark brown.
Stem
5-10 cm long, 1.5-3 cm diameter. White to pale cream with red hints, smooth above the skirt and covered in small brown scales below.
Skirt
A superior, single white fleshy ring hanging down with brown to grey floccules on the underside.
Flesh
White, bruising or oxidising to pink/red. Can be yellowish in the base of the stem in older specimens.
Habitat
In open mixed woodland.
Possible Confusion
Inky Mushroom (Agaricus moelleri), pictured, looks similar but the chemical, unpleasant smell of the flesh of this toxic mushroom and the fact its flesh doesn’t stain red should keep you safe.
The Prince (Agaricus augustus) is similar but usually a lot larger and delicious so there is no harm confusing the two.
Spore Print
Purple/brown. Ellipsoid.
Taste / Smell
Pleasantly mushroomy.
Frequency
Fairly uncommon.
4 comments for Scaly Wood Mushroom
Have never eaten ‘wild’ mushrooms without my dad. He’s since passed…
Found some in my garden? Under Holly and black currents can I eat them? I’d like to send photos
Hi Julie, send in clear photos of the cap, gills and stem and I’ll do my best.
Hi I’m sure mine are this or Prince, they’re growing under sycamore, Spreading onto the grass and something else in like a chunky line
I noticed huge ones but thinking all mushrooms like this in garden were poisonous I mowed them and now I have LOTS
they look just as you’ve said (I can’t smell almond though) I tasted the cap of one and it tasted like a great organic mushroom but I need to be 100%
I’ve never foraged and all courses are full near Warwick
ahhhh yummy I just tried some today (after being 100% sure it was them using this page as one of my confirmation !) they are so delicious !! thank you for this amazing website