Botanical: Chlorophyllum rachodes

Description: Cap: 10 to 20 cm wide, convex becoming flat with age; cinnamon brown, breaking up into large concentric cinnamon brown upturned scales on a white background. Gills: free, white, becoming red or brown when bruised, darkening in age, close, edges finely fringed, in two or three tiers. Stalk: 10 to 20 cm long, about as long as the diameter of the cap, top 10 to 20 mm thick, thickening to a smoothly rounded bulb at the base, smooth, white, surface darkening when bruised, cut flesh staining reddish or saffron. Ring: white, darkening to brown below with age, thick, persistent, membranous, movable like a ring on a finger, with two edges – one turned up and one turned down, edges fibrous and tattered. Odor and taste: not remarkable. Spore print: white.

Habitat: Compost, rich soil, gardens; scattered to gregarious.

4 Key ID:

• White large soft cap with concentric cinnamon brown scales
• Stalk equal to cap diameter and stains red-orange when cut
• Prominent white double ring loose on stem
• Sloped bulbous base with no volva

Edibility: Edible and choice, but of the gilled Chlorophyllum species in the Northwest, one or more sicken some people; it is uncertain which because in the past all three were called “Macrolepiota rachodes”. Try a sampler first whenever gathering these from a new area.

Notes: This mushroom was first Lepiota rachodes, then Macrolepiota rachodes, now it’s split into three different species of Chlorophyllum. Please see What’s Become of Macrolepiota Rachodes? for details. C. molybdites is a very similar, light-green spored species that causes many extremely unpleasant, but non-lethal poisonings in warmer climates. So far the green-spored Shaggy Parasol has not been reported in the Pacific Northwest, but be very careful collecting Shaggy Parasols in warmer areas.

Wild Mushroom and Wild Rice Stuffing

1 C. wild rice
1.5 C. water
1.5 C. chicken broth
1/2 t. salt
1/2 oz. dried Porcini
1 oz. dried Shaggy Parasol
1/2 C. butter (one stick)
2 medium onions, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 lb. fresh small Shiitake caps, cut in half, then sliced cross-ways
1 t. dried sage
1 t. dried thyme
1/4 C. Italian parsley, chopped
1 t. salt
1/2 t. fresh ground pepper
1/2 C. dry sherry
12 C. rustic dry bread cubes
1 1/2 C. chicken broth

• • Bring rice, water, broth and salt to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered 40 to 50 minutes or just until kernels puff open. Uncover, fluff with a fork and cook another 5 minutes. Drain off any excess liquid and let cool a bit.
  • Soak Porcini and Shaggy Parasol in 2 C. warm water 10 to 15 minutes or until soft. Remove from water, squeeze dry and chop. Reserve 1 C. mushroom water, avoiding any grit.
  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, celery, Shiitake and a pinch of salt. Saute 5 minutes. Add chopped Porcini and Shaggy Parasol. Saute another 5 minutes or until Shiitake are soft but not browned. Add herbs, salt, pepper and sherry. Cook another 2 minutes.
  • Fold together wild rice, cooked vegetables, bread, reserved mushroom liquid and broth in a large bowl.
  • Put the dressing in a greased large oven-proof container with cover. Cook covered at 350 F for 30 minutes, uncover and cook another 15 minutes.
  • Note: Homemade stock from roasted turkey bones or the pan drippings degreased, strained and thinned 75 percent, will make this more flavorful.