Green-spored Parasol vs Shaggy Parasol
Chlorophyllum molybdites compared with Chlorophyllum rhacodes — how to tell them apart in the field.
This is a dangerous confusion.
At least one of these species is toxic. Never eat a wild mushroom based on a photo comparison alone — verify with local experts.
Green-spored Parasol / The Vomiter
Chlorophyllum molybdites
Toxic
Shaggy Parasol
Chlorophyllum rhacodes
Edible with Caution
How to Tell Them Apart
Edible with caution (causes GI upset in some). Very similar shape, but has a WHITE spore print and the flesh stains orange-red when cut. C. molybdites flesh does not turn reddish. Spore print color remains the definitive test.
Side-by-Side Identification
| Trait | Green-spored Parasol | Shaggy Parasol |
|---|---|---|
| Cap | 5-30 cm across. Initially egg-shaped, expanding to convex, then flat or slightly upturned with age. White background covered with coarse brown to tan scales arranged concentrically. Center often retains a solid brown patch. Surface is dry. | 10-20 cm across, sometimes up to 30 cm. Starts as a smooth, pale brown egg shape, then expands into a broad parasol. The surface cracks into large, coarse, upturned brown scales on a pale cream background — giving it that signature shaggy look. Flesh bruises vivid saffron-orange when cut or damaged. |
| Gills | Free (not attached to stem). White when young, becoming greenish to grayish-green as spores mature. This green discoloration of the gills is visible even without a spore print and is the key field mark. | White to cream, free (not attached to the stem), densely packed. They bruise orange-brown when touched. In older specimens they may develop a slight pinkish tint. |
| Stem | 8-25 cm tall, 1-2.5 cm thick. White, smooth, often bruising brownish when handled. Has a thick, double-edged ring (annulus) that slides freely up and down the stem. Base is bulbous but lacks a volva. | 10-15 cm tall, up to 2 cm thick. Smooth, white to pale brown, with a bulbous base. Has a thick, movable double ring (annulus) that slides up and down the stem. Flesh inside the stem turns orange-red when sliced — a key identification feature. |
| Spore print | Green to grayish-green. This is the single most important identification feature. No other common large lawn mushroom has green spores. Always take a spore print on white paper. | White to cream. This is critical — a green spore print means you have the toxic Chlorophyllum molybdites instead. |
| Odor | Pleasant, mushroomy when fresh. Not distinctive enough to use for identification. | Pleasant, mildly mushroomy. Nothing alarming. |
| Habitat | Saprotrophic. Fruits in lawns, parks, golf courses, athletic fields, pastures, and any well-watered grassy area. Prefers rich, fertilized soil and warm temperatures. Often fruits in fairy rings or large clusters after summer rains. | Loves rich, disturbed soil — gardens, parks, woodland edges, compost heaps, along hedgerows, and in mulched flower beds. Often found in shady spots near conifers or deciduous trees. Saprotrophic — it breaks down dead organic matter rather than forming tree partnerships. |
| Season | Late spring through early autumn, peaking in July and August. Requires warm soil temperatures above 18C (65F) and consistent moisture. In tropical regions, can fruit year-round. | Late summer through late autumn. Peak fruiting is August through November in the Northern Hemisphere. Can appear earlier in warmer climates. |
Found one of these in the wild? Don't rely on memory — identify it from a photo with Orangutany and check it against both species before you touch it.