Man on Horseback: Tricholoma flavovirens

Pileus
Cap 5-13 cm broad, convex, becoming nearly plane in age with upturned margin; yellow, often shading to a slightly scaly brownish disc; surface smooth, viscid in moist weather; flesh white, thick; odor, farinaceous.

Lamellae
Gills yellow, notched, close, and broad.

Stipe
Stipe 4-8 cm tall, 1.5-3 cm thick, pale yellow, equal to enlarged at the base; veil absent.

Spores
Spores 6-7.5 x 3.5-5 µm, elliptical, smooth. Spore print white.

Habitat
Scattered to gregarious in sandy soils under coastal pines; from late fall through mid-winter.

Edibility
Edible and choice. Our most underrated esculent mushroom.

Comments
Tricholoma flavovirens is recognized by its yellow to yellowish-brown, viscid cap, robust stature, yellow notched gills, and pale yellow stipe. Tricholoma sulphureum, rare in our area, is similar in color but has the odor of sewer gas and lacks a viscid cap. Tricholoma sejunctum also has a yellowish cap but is streaked with dark fibrils, is less viscid, and has white gills.