Umbrella motley (Macrolepiota procera) photo and description

Motley umbrella (Macrolepiota procera)

Systematics:
  • Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
  • Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
  • Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
  • Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
  • Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
  • Family: Agaricaceae (Champignon)
  • Genus: Macrolepiota (Macrolepiota)
  • Species: Macrolepiota procera (Umbrella variegated)
    Other names for the mushroom:
  • Umbrella
  • Big umbrella
  • Umbrella high
  • Macrolepiota procera

Synonyms:

  • Umbrella

  • Big umbrella

  • Umbrella high

  • Macrolepiota procera
UmbrellaPhoto by: Valery Afanasyev

Hat:

At the umbrella, the cap is 15 to 30 cm in diameter (sometimes up to 40), first ovoid, then flat-convex, outstretched, umbrella-shaped, with a small tubercle in the middle, whitish, white-gray, sometimes brown, with large lagging brown scales. In the center, the cap is darker; scales are absent. The pulp is thick, loose (in old age, it happens, quite "cotton"), white, with a pleasant taste and smell.

Plates:

The motley umbrella has attached to the collarium (a cartilaginous ring at the junction of the cap and legs), the plates are creamy white at first, then with reddish veins.

Spore powder:

White.

Leg:

The motley umbrella has a long stem, it can be 30 cm or more, up to 3 cm in diameter, cylindrical, hollow, thickened at the base, hard, brown, covered with brown scales. There is a wide white ring, usually free - you can move it up and down the leg if someone suddenly wants it.

Spread:

The motley umbrella grows from July to October in forests, in clearings, along roads, in meadows, fields, pastures, in gardens, etc. In favorable conditions, forms impressive "witch's rings".

Similar species:

The red umbrella (Macrolepiota rhacodes) looks like a motley umbrella, which can be distinguished by its smaller size, smooth stem and reddening pulp on a break.

Edibility:

It is considered an excellent edible mushroom.  (I would argue with the epithet.) Western eccentrics claim that the legs of a variegated umbrella are inedible. A matter of taste…

Colorful umbrella

Remarks

Under favorable conditions, in tall grass, a variegated umbrella can reach amazing heights. What are there 30 centimeters! In the light semi-pine forests on the left bank of the Oka, I met umbrellas indistinguishable from the high stool in the bar. It's even strange to take such. You just don't know how to approach them. The very idea of ​​looking for mushrooms as fun with a basket is being questioned.