Yellow stainer

Agaricus xanthodermus · 黄斑蘑菇

Occasional蘑菇科⚠️ Poisonous

Reference sources list this as a poisonous mushroom.

The same species can be described differently across regions and stages of maturity, and countless look-alike species cannot be told apart by eye. Never use the information on this page to judge whether a real mushroom is safe to eat.

How to Tell

Stem base turns bright yellow quickly when cut or bruised
Smells phenolic, like disinfectant or ink
Resembles common Agaricus mushrooms in appearance; gills pink, aging to brown

ID notes are compiled by AI from public sources, not reviewed by a mycologist, for learning only — never a basis for foraging.

Basics

Family: 蘑菇科
Hymenium: Gills
Grows On: Grassland
How Big: 5–15 cm (cap diameter)
Encounter Rate: Occasional
Habitat: Grassland, parks and woodland edges

Easily Confused With

Button mushroomButton mushroom doesn't yellow when bruised and has no phenol smell; yellow stainer's base turns bright yellow at once when bruised.

Field mushroomField mushroom bruises faintly pink; yellow stainer's base turns bright yellow and smells of ink.

Horse mushroomHorse mushroom bruises pale yellow and smells sweetly of aniseed; yellow stainer turns bright yellow with a sharp phenol smell.

Fun Fact

One of the most common causes of gastrointestinal poisoning in Europe. Cut into the stem base and it flushes chrome yellow within seconds, giving off a smell of ink or carbolic acid.

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