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St. George's mushroom

Calocybe gambosa

A species of Domecaps

The st. George's mushroom is easily distinguished by its pleasant flour-like smell. In Great Britain, these mushrooms appear near the time of their namesake holiday, often growing in so-called fairy rings, and always in the same location. There have been several reports of persistent, hundred-year-old fairy rings of the st. George's mushroom.

Cap Diameter:

4 - 16 cm

Odor:

Mealy, reminiscent of freshly ground flour.

General Info About St. George's mushroom

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Attributes of St. George's mushroom

Cap Diameter

4 - 16 cm

Height

5 - 10 cm

Cap

Cap 5 - 15 cm across; domed; white to cream; smooth

Cap Shape

Convex, Flat

Cap Surfaces

Smooth

Gills

Rather crowded; whitish

Gill Attachment

Notched

Stem

Stem 4 - 8 cm long, 1.5 - 3 cm thick; club-shaped, cylindrical; white to cream; smooth

Stem Shapes

Club Shaped

Stem Surfaces

Smooth

Flesh

White; unchanging

Ring

Ringless

Spore Print Color

White

Odor

Mealy, reminiscent of freshly ground flour.

Body Color

Yellow

White

Cream

Flesh Bruises

The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.

Growth Form

Gregarious

Nutrient Gathering

Mycorrhizal, Saprophytic

Substrate

On soil

You can find St. George's mushroom by these plants:

Oaks, Willows, Spruces

Occurence Habitats

Meadows, Deciduous Woodland, Scrublands

Species Status

Least Concern

Endangered Species

How to Identify St. George's mushroom

Fruiting Body Cap Flesh

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Habitat of St. George's mushroom

The st. George's mushroom can be found in woodland clearings and edges, in grasslands, cropped pastures, lawns, gardens, orchards, or along roadsides. They grow on the ground, in the grass, often in leaf litter.

Distribution Area of St. George's mushroom

Europe,northern Asia

Uses of St. George's mushroom

St. George's mushroom is a highly prized edible mushroom, sought after for its nutty flavor and firm texture. It emerges in spring, adding seasonal charm to culinary traditions. St. George's mushroom is particularly popular in European cuisines and is often used in dishes like omelets and risottos. Collectors value it for gastronomy, though caution is advised to ensure correct identification due to look-alikes with potential toxicity.

Scientific Classification of St. George's mushroom

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Gilled fungi

Family

Lyophyllaceae

Genus

Domecaps

Toxicity and Edibility of St. George's mushroom

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Edibility of St. George's mushroom

In many regions, the st. George's mushroom is the earliest of the large edible mushrooms to appear in spring. Make certain to compare your identification against poisonous lookalikes such as Clitocybes and Deadly Fibrecaps. Do not gather from roadsides as they take up toxins from the soil. They have a unique and pronounced flavor and can substitute in any of your favorite mushroom recipes.

Similar Species to St. George's mushroom

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Large white Leucopaxallus

Similar Species

St. George's mushroom

How to Differentiate Between Large white Leucopaxallus and St. George's mushroom?

St. George's mushroom: Gills are adnate (broadly attached) to slightly emarginate (notched).

Large white Leucopaxallus: Gills are decurrent, running down the stem.

St. George's mushroom: It has a distinctive pleasant, floury smell.

Large white Leucopaxallus: Lacks a distinctive smell, often mild or not noticeable.

St. George's mushroom: Prefers grassy areas, often found in meadows.

Large white Leucopaxallus: Favors wooded areas, typically found under conifers.

Tips for Finding St. George's mushroom

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When is the Best Time to Find St. George's mushroom

Search for st. George's mushroom during springtime, after periods of rain and when daytime temperatures reach between 55°F (13°C) to 64°F (18°C). Morning excursions can be particularly fruitful.

What are the Ideal Soil Conditions for St. George's mushroom

Prefers alkaline or slightly acidic soils.

What are Some Tips for Finding St. George's mushroom

Check grassy fields near deciduous trees, as st. George's mushroom tends to grow in such environments.
Look for rings of lush, darker grass in pastures or lawns, an indicator of st. George's mushroom's presence below.
Search alongside roads and woodland edges where the soil has likely been disturbed.
Inspect for st. George's mushroom in mown areas with good sunlight exposure.
Sweep your gaze over the area and look for the distinctive mushroom caps of st. George's mushroom poking through the grass.

How to Clean and Preserve St. George's mushroom

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How to Clean St. George's mushroom

Gently brush st. George's mushroom to remove debris. If necessary, dampen paper towels to wipe the cap and stem. Avoid soaking as st. George's mushroom may absorb water, altering texture. Use a soft brush or cloth to maintain integrity.

Tips on Dry Preservation of St. George's mushroom

Drying Methods

Dehydrator Drying, Oven Drying, Air Drying

Drying Duration

12 - 18 months

Store in airtight containers, in cool, dark, dry place with low humidity.

Dehydrator drying: Efficient moisture removal, controlled temperature aids in preserving quality.

Oven drying: Set at low temperature with door slightly open for adequate air circulation.

Air drying: Slow natural process, works well in dry climates with good ventilation.

Tips on Freezing Preservation of St. George's mushroom

Freezing Methods

Blanching Before Freezing

Freezing Duration

10 - 12 months

Blanching before freezing: Inactivates enzymes, preserving texture and flavor after thawing.

Tips on Refrigeration Preservation of St. George's mushroom

Refrigerating Methods

Paper Bag Storage, Original Packaging Storage, Plastic Wrap Storage, Container with Absorbent Lining

Temperature

2 - 4 ℃

Refrigerating Humidity

85 - 95 %

Refrigerating Duration

3 - 7 days

Paper Bag Storage: Allows for moisture absorption and air circulation, reducing spoilage.

Original Packaging Storage: Retains moisture balance if mushrooms are prepackaged in breathable materials.

Plastic Wrap Storage: Loosely wrapping in perforated plastic maintains humidity while providing airflow.

Container with Absorbent Lining: A layer of paper towel absorbs excess moisture, preventing sogginess.

Common Questions People Also Ask

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