Once considered rare, cucumber cap is becoming more abundant as it tends to spread with wood chip mulch. This plant's common name, Cucumber cap, comes from its cucumber-like scent. Some people describe the smell as 'fishy' however.
Cap Diameter:
1 - 6 cm
Odor:
Cucumber-like, becomes fishy with age.
In This Article
Attributes
Similar Species
Tips for Finding
Clean and Preserve
Common Questions
General Info About Cucumber cap
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Attributes of Cucumber cap
Cap Diameter
1 - 6 cm
Height
2 - 8 cm
Cap
Cap 1 - 6 cm across; bell-shaped, broadly bell-shaped, broadly convex, nearly flat; dark reddish brown; smooth
Cap Shape
Bell-shaped, Convex, Flat
Cap Surfaces
Smooth, Velvety
Gills
Adnexed; close; whitish to pinkish yellow
Gill Attachment
Notched
Stem
Stem up to 8 cm long and 5 mm thick; more or less equal; colored like the cap; dry, tough
Stem Shapes
Cylindrical
Stem Surfaces
Smooth to slightly fibrous
Stem Cross Sections
Hollow or cottony hollow
Flesh
Insubstantial; brownish
Ring
Ringless
Spore Print Color
Whitish to pale pinkish-brown
Odor
Cucumber-like, becomes fishy with age.
Body Color
Brown
Red
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
Growth Form
Solitary, Scattered, Gregarious
Nutrient Gathering
Saprophytic
Substrate
On soil, Dead Woods, Wood Chips or Mulch, Leaf or Needle Litter
Cucumber cap thrives in terrestrial environments such as woods, grassy areas, and gardens, particularly under broadleaf trees like beech and hazel, as well as coniferous forests.
