Fungi ID please..

[JonnyP]

Had to rescue this before a cow trod on it. I thought it was a giant puffball but the markings on the top don't look the same as those in Mr Phillips mushroom book. It was growing on open grassland. Its pretty solid and heavy. I thought the markings looked similar to parasol mushrooms (we get a lot of them here), but again its not clear in the book...
We want to cook it up, but I need to be sure first.
Anyone recognise it..?

[spamel]

This is the problem with jvuenile mushrooms, if that is the correct descriptive. They can look like so many things. The size though does lend itself to probably being a giant parasol, but it's a gamble to take. If it were me, I'd leave it out.

The stalk is normally hollow, a bit like elder, and a bit woody in older specimens as I recall. The stalk also looks a bit like snake skin on older ones, and where it connects to the cap it leaves a dimple/nipple like projection on top. The cap is frondy/flaky looking, simmilar to what is on the edge of the underside hence my reason that I think you may be correct but don't take my word for it! Parasols are one of the few mushrooms I can positively ID 100 percent, but then again that is only mature specimens.

[slowworm]

It looks more like an agaricus to me, possibly The Prince, Agaricus augustus. As has been said, it's very hard to tell from a juvenile specimen.

[Staghound]

I would be prepared to bet actual money that it is not a parasol or a giant puffball. The scales on parasol are larger and darker, the stalks are longer and thinner and the top of the cap is more pointed. Giant puffballs don't have a stalk.

As Slowworm says looks more like an agaricus of some kind, possibly horse mushroom Agaricus arvensis. Does it smell of anything?

[spamel]

I would be prepared to bet actual money that it is not a parasol or a giant puffball. The scales on parasol are larger and darker, the stalks are longer and thinner and the top of the cap is more pointed. Giant puffballs don't have a stalk.

As Slowworm says looks more like an agaricus of some kind, possibly horse mushroom Agaricus arvensis. Does it smell of anything?

All fair points, but this is a juvenile. They can be different in their younger stages. A good reason to leave it be, as positive identification cannot be made.

[JonnyP]

Cheers for the comments... I will pop out into the field tomorrow and have a look for some more....
Stupid question maybe, but could I pop the fungi into some water (or dirt), like a cut flower, to let it grow..???

It smells faintly mushroomy, not unpleasant. It doesn't go yellow when bruised..

[Staghound]

All fair points, but this is a juvenile. They can be different in their younger stages. A good reason to leave it be, as positive identification cannot be made.

Completely agree, was not suggesting I'd eat it unless 100% certain of ID.

BTW, I don't mean to be argumentative but parasol and giant puffball are two of my favourites, I've found lots including young ones and I'm absolutely sure this isn't either of them.

[chickenofthewoods]

Try one of these fellas: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/agaricus_arvensis.html

P.S. Keep your find as it will continue to develop - in a day or so the cap will open up and reveal the gills. If it is an agaricus, they'll be pale at first darkening to deep chocolate brown & once the cap's fully open you can do a spore print onto white paper, it should be dark brown.

Horse mushrooms can be HUGE!

[JonnyP]

Try one of these fellas: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/agaricus_arvensis.html

P.S. Keep your find as it will continue to develop - in a day or so the cap will open up and reveal the gills. If it is an agaricus, they'll be pale at first darkening to deep chocolate brown & once the cap's fully open you can do a spore print onto white paper, it should be dark brown.

Horse mushrooms can be HUGE!

Thanks Carol.. Will keep it... Do I need to put it in water, keep it in a dark place or a cool place etc..??

[chickenofthewoods]

Nope, just put it to one side in a dry but not too warm-ish place* so that it doesn't dehydrate too quickly and it should continue to open.

*(i.e. don't stick it in the 'fridge)