Field Mushrooms again… Keep ‘em coming

I know the Field mushroom is common, I know there are more exotic mushroom finds out there and I know also that you can never have enough of the great Field Mushroom. I love it so…

The Field Mushroom (Agaricus campestris) is often found in small groups or even rings (though not always, as in this case) but is found commonly in older pasture land and grassland in general, but nowhere near trees of any kind (at least 20 metres from the tree line anyway).

I just wanted to point out and exaggerate the identification tips of this beautifully edible UK mushroom. As well as the typical large white ‘mushroom look’, I’ve shown in the pictures the distinctive pink gills of the younger mushroom (these mature to dark brown), and the ring zone two thirds up the stem, which is very small, sometimes indistinct! So this helps in identification, as the Yellow Stainer mushroom; a sinister (but not deadly) looalike has a much larger, floppy ring zone. See my post on the Yellow Stainer mushroom.

Field Mushroom - Common UK Mushroom

Younger and older examples of the Field Mushroom. Notice the slightly scaly white cap.

12 replies
  1. Tree Head
    Tree Head says:

    I can smell and feel the mushroom in the pic!
    There was an old pasture (well away from woods) that my father took me to when very young. It was very difficult not to step on any…..The field was covered in them… and still was when we went off home with many large carrier bags bulging and packed to the brim!
    I remember not knowing which clump to attack first!

    Reply
      • J C Harris
        J C Harris says:

        They can appear in Summer, but usually late summer. Several other Agaricus mushrooms fruit in late spring/summer, so it could be possibly a different species maybe.

        Reply
  2. J C Harris
    J C Harris says:

    I recently had also found a field littered with them. It is genuinely a great feeling. Free food at it’s best I believe. They can appear in great quantities in November too. Hope you have luck in finding some more soon.

    Reply
  3. Tree Head
    Tree Head says:

    Thanks…
    I haven’t found any this year (field mushrooms) But then again I haven’t been far enough….There’s so many good fields in the peak district! I’ll let you know if Nov brings soemthing, which I’m sure it will. cheers Dean

    Reply
  4. Jen
    Jen says:

    Hello! Just found this site and hope that another mushroom lover in and around my area can help me find some wonderful wild mushrooms! I have recently moved from London to Deal in Kent. Would love any tips on where to look and even better from someone who knows and are willing to share their precious info!!! ‘Here’s hopingly’
    Jen x

    Reply
  5. Jie
    Jie says:

    I harvest a few pieces this morning in my front yards. After read some helping information like yours, I cooked them. They are really good in flavour, not like the one brought from market.
    I am used to collect wild edible mushroom in my home country. There no one looks like this type. It is a nice experience to know something new, especially when it has good flavour. Thanks!

    Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] initial analysis was to rule them out as Field Mushrooms as these are strictly pasture/field bound, away from the tree line. There was no stark, chrome […]

  2. […] splits in places too. At first glance, the general appearance is that of a typical Field Mushroom (Agaricus campestris), they even smell similar – but there are subtle differences, more noticeable when you study […]

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