Agaricus bitorquis
| Agaricus bitorquis | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Agaricaceae |
| Genus: | Agaricus |
| Species: | A. bitorquis |
| Binomial name | |
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Agaricus bitorquis (Quélet) Sacc. (1887) |
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| Agaricus bitorquis | |
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| Mycological characteristics | |
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gills on hymenium |
 
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cap is convex or flat |
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hymenium is free |
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stipe has a ring |
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spore print is brown |
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ecology is saprotrophic |
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edibility: choice |
Agaricus bitorquis is an edible white mushroom of the genus Agaricus, similar to the common button mushroom that is sold commercially. The name supersedes Agaricus rodmani. It is also commonly known as torq, the banded agaric, spring agaric, or pavement mushroom, as it has been recorded pushing up paving slabs.
The specific epithet bitorquis is Latin "having two collars", and refers to the two rings resulting from detachment of the annulus from both the top and bottom of the stipe.
The cap is dry, smooth, and white (but staining yellowish in age), and measures 4 to 15 cm in diameter, convex to flat; often with dirt on the cap. The gills are free, very narrow, close, light pink color when young, becoming dark reddish-brown as the spores mature. The spore print is chocolate brown. The stipe is 3 – 11 cm long, 2 – 4 cm thick, cylindrical to clavate (club-shaped), equal to enlarged at the base, stout, white, smooth, with a membranous veil and thick white mycelial sheathing near the base. The flesh is solid and firm, with a mild odor. It is often confused with Agaricus bernardii; however, that mushroom has a salty odor.
cap is convex
Basidiospores are elliptical in shape, smooth, and with dimensions of 5–7 x 4–5.5 µm. Basidia are 20–25 x 6.5–8.5 µm, usually four-spored, but often with two-spored basidia present. Cystidia are present and numerous.
Agaricus bitorquis may be found growing solitary or in small groups in gardens, and at roadsides, often where salt is applied to combat ice in winter. Pushing through asphalt and slabs, it is subterranean, and often matures underground. It is occasional throughout North America, Europe, and Australia.
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