BASIDIOMYCETES: Agaricales, Lepiotaceae

Green-spored Parasol, Chlorophyllum molybdites or Lepiota morgani

Basidiomycetes, order: Agaricales, family: Lepiotaceae

Height to 10"

This large mushroom has a cap up to 12" wide, initially round and then conical to convex and flattened with age. Surface is covered with light brown scales, concentrated toward the center. Stalk is smooth and white to gray, becoming slightly bulbous at the base, and encircled by a white, membranous, moveable collar. Gills are free, whitish, becoming darker at maturity. Spore print is dull olive-green. Green-spored Parasols grow on the ground, sometimes forming fairy rings, in pastures, meadows, and other grassy areas throughout North America during the fall. Not edible: poisonous! Also known as the Green-gilled Lepiota.