Agaricus subrufescens

                                                                                                                                           Almond Agaricus

Edibility

This is an edible Agaricus which people either love or hate. It has a distinct almond/marzipan flavour. There have been many studies showing the anti-tumor activity of this mushroom. The identification of (novel) immunomodulating bioactive compounds in Agaricus subrufescens may also help in finding treatments for patients suffering from cancer and immunodeficiency.

Habitat

This mushroom can be found in rotting leaves and also out in the open often at the borders between forests and parks.

Description

This another mushroom whose common names comes together perfectly. 

Almond mushroom, mushroom of the sun, God's mushroom, mushroom of life, royal sun agaricus.

Agaricus from the Greek agarikon meaning ‘tree fungus’.

subrufescens

Appearance

The Cap

Depending on the species the cap is yellowy/brown in colour starting out hemispherical (Like a half circle) before becoming convex (arched) as the mushroom matures, size can be anywhere from 4cm to 18cm in diameter.

The cap is dry and is covered by fibrillose squamulose which in laymens terms means fibrous scales, which can be seen it the attached pictures.

The Gills

A veil covers the gills as the newly formed mushroom emerges, as the mushroom matures the veil breaks revealing whitish coloured gills before, changing to pink and then to the colour of the spores at maturity which is dark brown.

The gills are not attached to the stalk (free),they are also narrow, and crowded closely together.

If the cap is scratched it will turn yellow as it bruises which can confuse people into thinking it may be the poisonous Agaricus xanthodermus AKA Yellow stainer , hower unlike the yellow stainer the yellow WILL still remain over time.

The Stem

The stem/stipe is white in colour and cylindrical, white with pinkish tinges under cap, becoming hollow as the mushroom ages The stem/stipe is 5 cm to 15 cm in height and by 1 cm to 2.5 cm thick, and bulbous at the base.

The annulus is quite often visible and distinctive in its appearance ; it bends downward toward the stem and is smooth and white on the upper side.

Spore Colour  

Dark brown   

Distribution

QLD-NSW-VIC-SA-WA-TAS

Lookalikes

A lot of Agaricus are quite similar in appearance and some times people have a hard time telling the difference.

However one poisonous lookalike is Agaricus xanthodermus AKA Yellow Stainer and although it does not affect all who have eaten it, if you are an unlucky one that is affected you may require hospital treatment .