Agaricus moelleri, commonly known as the inky mushroom, or dark scaled mushroom, is a large species of fungus in the genus Agaricus. It appears occasionally in most kinds of woodland, during late summer, in northern temperate zones.
Taxonomy
For many years Agaricus moelleri was erroneously accredited with the binomial Agaricus placomyces by some British authors. The epithetplacomyces was in fact given to a North American species of Agaricus by Charles Horton Peck in 1878 (now known as Agaricus praeclaresquamosus A.E.Freeman 1979). The current binomial Agaricus moelleri was published in 1976 by the Ukrainian mycologist Solomon P. Wasser. ==Description==
Description
The cap has a greyish-brown patch in the centre and cold grey-brown scaling on the surrounding off-white background. It is in diameter, and yellows when bruised. It is ovate when young, flattening later. Similar speciesAgaricus hondensis is similar, with a pinkish tint and firmer flesh. The rare Agaricus phaeolepidotus also has the iodoform, or ink smell, but has browner cap scales, and stains yellow less readily. ==Distribution and habitat==
Distribution and habitat
Agaricus moelleri is found in the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of North America, Europe (including Britain), and Asia. It grows in mixed forests and woods. It is widespread, but can be locally rare, and favors rich alkaline woodland, or parkland. ==Toxicity==
Toxicity
In the same fashion as the yellow stainer (Agaricus xanthodermus), Agaricus moelleri can produce gastrointestinal symptoms for some people but not others, when ingested. It is considered toxic. ==See also==