BASIDIOMYCETES: Agaricales, Tricholomataceae

Fairy Ring Mushroom, Maramius oreades

Basidiomycetes, order: Agaricales, family: Tricholomataceae

Height to 3"

Cap is up to 2" wide, convex or bell-shaped, becoming flattened, with a wavy, slightly striated margin, and colored variable shades of white to brown. Stalk is thin, spindly, and tough with tiny fuzzy hairs. Gills are free or partly attached, pale tan, thin, and well-spaced. Spore print is white or pale buff. Fairy Ring Mushrooms are common on urban lawns, sometimes forming groups in a wide circle, or “fairy ring.” They grow throughout North America during the late spring to fall or during the winter in California. The mushroom is edible with the stalk removed, but care should be taken not to confuse it with poisonous look-alikes. Also known as Scotch Bonnet.