Tricholoma flavovirens (Fries) Lundell
Lundell & Nannfeldt, Fungi Exsiccati Suecici, fasc 23, n. 1102. 1942.

Common Name: Man on Horseback

Misapplied name: Tricholoma equestre

• Pileus

  Cap 5-13 cm broad, convex, becoming nearly plane in age with upturned margin; yellow, often shading to a slightly scaly brownish disc; surface smooth, viscid in moist weather; flesh white, thick; odor, farinaceous.

• Lamellae

  Gills yellow, notched, close, and broad.

• Stipe

  Stipe 4-8 cm tall, 1.5-3 cm thick, pale yellow, equal to enlarged at the base; veil absent.

• Spores

  Spores 6-7.5 x 3.5-5 µm, elliptical, smooth. Spore print white.

• Habitat

  Scattered to gregarious in sandy soils under coastal pines; from late fall through mid-winter.

• Edibility

  Edible and choice. Our most underrated esculent mushroom.

• Comments

  Tricholoma flavovirens is recognized by its yellow to yellowish-brown, viscid cap, robust stature, yellow notched gills, and pale yellow stipe. Tricholoma sulphureum, rare in our area, is similar in color but has the odor of sewer gas and lacks a viscid cap. Tricholoma sejunctum also has a yellowish cap but is streaked with dark fibrils, is less viscid, and has white gills.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Tom Duffy: Tricholoma flavovirens (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik: Tricholoma flavovirens (CP)
  • Fred Stevens: Tricholoma flavovirens (CP)
  • Svampbok: Tricholoma flavovirens (D & CP)
  • Wild Mushrooms from Tokyo: Tricholoma flavovirens (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 179 (D), plate 33 (CP)
  • Arora (1991): p. 61 (D & CP)
  • Breitenbach & Kränzlin (vol. 3): sp. 418 (D, I, & CP) [Tricholoma equestre]
  • Lincoff: p. 800 (D), plate 323 (CP)
  • McKenny et al.: p. 104 (D), p. 105 (CP)
  • Miller: sp. 165 (D & CP)
  • Phillips: p. 42 (CP), p. 43 (D)
  • Smith: sp. 87 (D & CP)
  • Smith & Weber: sp. 132 (D & CP)

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)