A spectacular large mushroom with a cap diameter of between 15 and 20 centimetres that can often reach a height of 25 centimetres. The cap is egg-shaped when immature with developing darker areas; when mature the parasol has a large grey-beige cap with clearly defined concentric rings of dark brown scales.
The stem is a pale golden-brown with scaly, snake-skin like markings when mature, and a double ring which can be moved up-and-down. The gills are ivory coloured, free and crowded and, when cut, the flesh reddens noticeably. The parasol mushroom is found in pastures, fields, parks and on sand dunes and coastal cliff-tops from July to October.
Although parasol mushrooms are edible, many fungi of the Lepiota family to which it belongs may be very similar in appearance and can cause stomach upsets. Some are very poisonous.
Parasol Mushroom
