Calocybe gambosa

Calocybe gambosa, commonly known as St. George's mushroom

Calocybe gambosa, commonly known as St. George's mushroom, is an edible mushroom found in Europe. It is notable for its early fruiting season, often appearing around St. George's Day, which is celebrated on April 23rd. This mushroom is prized for its culinary uses and distinctive features.

Description

Close-up of Calocybe gambosa cap and gills

The cap of Calocybe gambosa is convex to flat, measuring 5–15 cm in diameter. It is typically white to cream-colored, with a smooth surface. The gills are white, crowded, and adnate, becoming slightly decurrent with age. The stipe is solid, white, and can be up to 10 cm tall and 3 cm thick. The spore print is white.

Habitat and Distribution

Calocybe gambosa is found in grasslands, meadows, and woodland edges, often in calcareous soils. It is widely distributed across Europe and is known to form mycorrhizal associations with various trees and shrubs.

Edibility

This mushroom is considered a choice edible species. It has a firm texture and a mild, mealy taste. It is often used in European cuisine, particularly in Italy and France. However, care should be taken to correctly identify this mushroom, as it can be confused with toxic species.

Similar Species

Calocybe gambosa can be confused with other white mushrooms, such as Tricholoma album and Entoloma sinuatum, which are toxic. Proper identification is crucial to avoid mushroom poisoning.

Related pages

• Mushroom
• Mycology
• Edible mushroom
• Fungi