Soap-scented Knight Cap
Tricholoma saponaceum var. saponaceum
Tricholoma saponaceum var. squamosum
Of this species two varieties are known. Both descriptions are identical except for the colour of the scales on the stipe.
Description
Cap vaulted to expanded, Ø 3-7 cm, smooth, sticky when moist, fine fibrous scale when dry, colour very variable, of olive-brown to pink brown to grey brown, often patched-flammed, with a darker centre and with a lighter or whitish to sometimes reddish dropping curved rim.
Gills tortuous attached, cream to greenish yellow.
Stem 3-8 cm x 5-20 mm, with grey brown scales (or brown to black in var. squamosum) on a cream background and with a acuminate rooting orange red base. Flesh white, turning red or orange pink patched when bruised. Taste mild to bitter. Smell unpleasantly stark, acid (soap or sesamoil).
Occurrence
Near conifer and deciduous trees (pine, Oak, beech) in forests, lanes and poor road sides on moderately humid to dry, very nutrient and humus deficient sand and loam.
Forming ectomycorrhiza.