Species guide
Yellow stainer
Toxic if eatenAgaricus xanthodermus
What does Yellow stainer look like?
Looks like an edible field or button mushroom — whitish cap, pink-then-brown gills — but the base of the stem instantly flushes bright chrome-yellow when cut or bruised, and it smells of ink, phenol or disinfectant.
Is Yellow stainer dangerous?
The most common cause of mushroom poisoning among foragers, who mistake it for an edible button or field mushroom. It causes cramps, vomiting and sweating. The yellow-staining base and chemical smell are the warning signs.
Commonly confused with
- Field mushroom — stains slightly pink/red, smells pleasantly mushroomy
- Horse mushroom — smells of aniseed, not ink/phenol
What should I do about Yellow stainer?
Never eat wild 'button' mushrooms on sight. If a cut base flashes yellow or it smells of ink, discard it. Confirm any find with a local expert.
Never decide what's safe to eat or touch from a photo or a web page. Identification here is for learning and curiosity only. For anything you might eat, handle or that could harm you or a pet, consult a qualified local expert — and seek medical or veterinary care if exposure has happened.
Recorded 13,680 times in the wild worldwide.
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