Parasol Mushroom - Macrolepiota procera

Description

The cap in intially almost spherical, but expands into a flat cap with a small central bump, or umbo.  It can be very large.  The cap is pale buff with numerous darker coarse scales. It has a long stipe with a zig-zag snakeskin pattern and a bulbous base. There is a large soft ring which may be moved up and down the stem.  The flesh does not turn red when cut.  The spore print is white or pale cream. 

Similar Species

Other Parasols - the Shaggy Parasol Chlorophyllum rhacodes does not have a snakeskin-patterned stipe. 

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Photos taken from side and top down

Habitat

Grows on the ground in woods and fields.

When to see it

Late summer and autumn

UK Status

Fairly common in Britain 

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Fungi
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Agaricales
Family:
Agaricaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
86
First record:
18/09/2008 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
25/10/2025 (David Wright)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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