Agaricus campestris

Common name(s): Field Mushroom, Meadow Mushroom, Pink Bottom

Family: Agaricaceae
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Fungi
Fungi
Taken by Ken Harrington
Pileus_cap
Pileus (Cap)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Stipe
Stipe (Stem)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Lamellae
Lamellae (Gill)
Taken by Ken Harrington
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Fungi / Mould Properties
Origin(s)
Algeria
  • Algeria: Indigenous
China
  • China: Indigenous
Cyprus
  • Cyprus: Indigenous
Denmark
  • Denmark: Indigenous
France
  • France: Indigenous
Greece
  • Greece: Indigenous
Ireland
  • Ireland: Indigenous
Italy
  • Italy: Indigenous
New Zealand
  • N.Z.: Indigenous
Portugal
  • Portugal: Indigenous
Russian Federation
  • Russia S.E: Indigenous
Spain
  • Spain: Indigenous
United Kingdom
  • U.K.: Indigenous
United States
  • USA: Indigenous
Fungi / Mould Type
Agarics
Agarics
Gilled Stemmed
Gilled Stemmed
Agarics Agarics,
Gilled Stemmed Gilled Stemmed
Climate Range
Continental, Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Polar-Sub
Continental,
Temperate Cool,
Temperate Warm,
Mediterranean,
Polar-Sub
Aspect Range
Full Sun, Medium Shade
Full Sun,
Medium Shade
Habitat Range
Garden, Grasslands, Forest - Grassy, Landscape, Forest - Temperate
Garden,
Grasslands,
Forest - Grassy,
Landscape,
Forest - Temperate
Habitat Zone
Heavy soils, Hill Sides, Moist areas, Moist Valley Slopes, Open areas, Well drained
Heavy soils,
Hill Sides,
Moist areas,
Moist Valley Slopes,
Open areas,
Well drained
Mature Height
100-125mm
100-125mm
Mature Width
100-125mm
100-125mm
Growth Rate
Very Slow
Very Slow
Life Span
4-6mths
4-6mths
Fungi / Mould Aroma
Slight
Slight
Pileus (Cap) Properties
Texture
Scales Flat
Scales Flat
Scales Flat Scales Flat
Colour (Upper)
White
White
Colour (Lower)
Brown Dark, Pink, Salmon
Brown Dark,
Pink,
Salmon
Thickness
20-25mm
20-25mm
Width
100-125mm
100-125mm
Shape
Applanate
Applanate
Hemispherical
Hemispherical
Applanate Applanate,
Hemispherical Hemispherical
Margin
Sinuate
Sinuate
Sinuate Sinuate
Lamellae (Gill) Properties
Arrangement
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate Intermediate
Colour
Brown Dark, Pink, Salmon
Brown Dark,
Pink,
Salmon
Lamellae / Stipe Attachment
Free
Free
Free Free
Stipe (Stem) Properties
Texture
Smooth
Smooth
Colour
White
White
Shape
Equal
Equal
Equal Equal
Length
75-100mm
75-100mm
Stipe Ring
Ringed
Ringed
Ringed Ringed
Spore Properties
Colour
Brown Dark
Brown Dark
Size
7-8 um
7-8 um
Shape
Elliptical
Elliptical
Elliptical Elliptical
Soil Properties
Type
Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam
Clay-loam,
Loam,
Sandy-loam
pH Range
Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline
Slightly Acid,
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline
Condition
Moist
Moist
Moist Moist
Fertile , Poor , Shallow , Deep , Well Drained
Fertile,
Poor,
Shallow,
Deep,
Well Drained
Salinity
None
None
None None
Other Properties / Uses
Fire Regeneration
Spores
Spores
Edible(s)
Cap, Stem
Cap,
Stem
Indigenous Use(s)
Cap - eaten raw, Stem
Cap - eaten raw,
Stem
Commercial Use
None
None
Propagation
Fresh Spore

General Notes

A widely eaten gilled mushroom, closely related to the Button Mushroom Agaricus bisporus which is one of the most cultivated mushroom's for human consumption. Found in fields and grasy areas after rain early spring and from late summer onwards worldwide. Rarely found in woodland areas. A mild earthy flavour. Not commercially grown due to its short shelf life. The white flesh bruises a dingy reddish-brown as opposed to yellow in the toxic Agaricus xanthodermus species.

Avoid picking any that may occur in lawns as they can be contaminated with fertiliser and sprays and can be easily confused with Clitocybe sp. which is poisonous.