St George's Mushroom - Calocybe gambosa

Convex
Calocybe gambosa - St George's Mushroom.jpg
Calocybe gambosa - St George's Mushroom.jpg
Common Name: 
St George's Mushroom
Scientific Name: 
Calocybe gambosa
Also Known As: 
previously Tricholoma gambosum
Typical Size (mm): 
0mm
Description: 

Appearing in April, Calocybe gambosa has the common name St George's Mushroom. It is a good edible species, distinguished from other pale species of springtime by its mealy smell. Fruiting from April to June (the common name derives from St George's Day, 23rd April, when this mushroom can usually be found), Calocybe gambosa is usually the first of the large edible fungi to appear.

Cap: 
Initially almost spherical, becoming convex and sometimes almost flat; often misshapen but retaining an incurved margin. The cap surface is smooth and white with a light brown tinge that sometimes becomes tan with age. Firm and white, the cap flesh is prone to maggot infestation as the fruit body ages, and so only fresh young specimens are worth collecting.
Gills: 
The sinuate gills are white, narrow and very crowded.
Stem: 
Wide and solid, usually curved and slightly thicker at the base. There is no stem ring.
Habitat: 
In cropped pastures and mown roadside verges; occasionally in mixed woodland.
Additional Notes: 
Mealy odour and taste.
Categories
Fungi Gill Type: 
Emarginate
Fungi HymeniumType: 
Gills
Fungi Spore Print Colour: 
White
Fungi Stipe Character: 
Bare
Fungi Edibility: 
Tasty
Fungi Edibility: 
Edible
Fungi Cap Shape: 
Convex
Habitats: 
Meadow
Habitats: 
Grassland
Habitats: 
Parks
Habitats: 
Pastures