Button Mushroom

Agaricus

The Button Mushroom is a small, white mushroom that is very popular in cooking. It has a mild flavor and is often used in salads!

Habitat: Cultivated fields

Appearance

The Button Mushroom has a smooth, rounded cap that is typically white to cream, often remaining tightly closed in its 'button' stage. Its stem is sturdy and white, connecting to pale pinkish gills that darken to chocolate brown as it matures, making it easily recognizable.

KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderAgaricalesFamilyAgaricaceaeGenusAgaricus

Button Mushroom

Interesting facts

Before it opens, its cap hides thousands of dark brown gills inside, ready to spread spores!

Cultivation of this mushroom first began over 300 years ago in underground caves in France!

It's the world's most popular edible mushroom, found in pizza, salads, and more!

The Button Mushroom turns pink or brown when bruised, a natural protective reaction!

Special abilities

Button Mushroom can break down dead organic matter because of special enzymes, helping to return vital nutrients to the soil.

Button Mushroom has dark brown gills under its cap that produce and release millions of tiny spores to reproduce and spread.

Button Mushroom has natural compounds that give it a rich 'umami' flavor, making it a delicious addition to many meals.

Measurements & details

Height: 3-10 cm
Edibility: edible
Cap Diameter: 2-10 cm
Growth Substrate: other
Season: Year-round
Spore Color: Dark brown

Ecological connections

eaten by

Human

Homo sapiens

A very popular and delicious food source worldwide.

eaten by

Black Slug

Arion ater

Slugs and snails often graze on mushroom caps.

eaten by

Fruit Fly

Drosophila melanogaster

Larvae develop inside mushrooms, eating the flesh.

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Spore Producing

Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Edible Mushroom

This trait refers to fungal species that are safe for human consumption when properly identified and prepared.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

Urban Friendly

This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

Also known as

ChampignonWhite Mushroom

Collections

Fungi

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Button Mushroom?

The easiest way to identify Button Mushroom is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is Button Mushroom?

3-10 cm

Is Button Mushroom edible?

edible

How big is Button Mushroom?

2-10 cm

Where is Button Mushroom usually found?

Cultivated fields

What does Button Mushroom grow on?

other

When is Button Mushroom in season?

Year-round

What color are Button Mushroom spores?

Dark brown

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

Park31 sightings9 species

Washington, US

Charbonneau Park

Family Friendly, Camping, Boating, Fishing, Birdwatching, Accessible, Nature, Wildlife, Lakefront, Playground, Us Army Corps Of Engineers

You might spot Ring-Billed Gull, Canada Goose, and Northern Saw-Whet Owl.

View guide →

Park20 sightings3 species

Washington, US

Denny Blaine Park

Waterfront, Lake Washington, Scenic Views, Clothing Optional (unofficial), Lgbtq+ Friendly, Picnicking, Swimming, Sunbathing, Nature, Wildlife, Urban Park.

You might spot Redwood, Western Redcedar, and Fringe Cups.

View guide →