Calocybe gambosa (St George's Mushroom)

Description

This firmly fleshy, whitish species has a white stem, off white domed cap and crowded, white, adnexed gills. The spore print is also white. The cap can reach up to 11 cm and the whole fruit body smells strongly of meal – a distinct smell once you are familiar with it – and occurs early in the year towards the end of April, as the English name suggests. In Scotland it is often rather later, first appearing often late in May, but still one of the earliest mushrooms to fruit.

Habitat

Calocybe gambosa occurs in a wide range of habitats and is not tied to a particular tree or plant. It is usually found in quite rich soils and is often present in grasslands (including gardens, parks, coastal grasslands) or sometimes deciduous woodland. It is often found growing in a fairy ring.

Distribution

The species is widespread in Britain and Ireland although there are fewer records from Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, relative to England – is this just fewer folk recording in these countries early in the year or does it reflect a meaningful distribution pattern? NBN Atlas map.