Large mushroom on road verge

[Tiggrx]

Found a group of these large mushrooms on a main road verge in Buckinghamshire. I am fairly sure they are an Agaricus but can't work out which. The caps are 15-16cm across and the flesh smelt just like a typical mushroom.
I found some newly emerging A. arvensis on a verge of a nearby side road and the aniseed smell was quite different.
Could these be old A. arvensis, does it lose the aniseed scent as it ages?

Thanks
Aaron

[Chris Yeates]

hi Aaron

despite it's being a very familiar genus Agaricus is also a very difficult one

following Funga Nordica, if it hasn't got a yellow stem base then in the early stages of identification you need to be considering smell and the "Schaffer Reaction" . . .

when they get to the stage that yours is at the smell could just be of general decay - just move on and find another fungus!

'nuff said?

Chris

[Tiggrx]

Agaricus sp. it is then

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

Agaricus sp. it is then

I think so . . . . apparently:

"Schaeffer's chemical test is often used to help identify and differentiate Agaricus species. In this test, aniline plus nitric acid are applied to the surface of the fruit bodies, and if when positive, a red or orange color forms"

what could be simpler

C