Tricholoma equestre

Tricholoma equestre, also known as the yellow knight or man on horseback, is a species of mushroom in the family Tricholomataceae. It is native to Europe and North America, and is often found in coniferous and deciduous forests.

Description

Tricholoma equestre is a medium to large mushroom, with a cap diameter of 4 to 10 cm. The cap is convex, becoming flat with age, and is yellow to yellow-brown in color. The gills are white to cream, and the stem is white and often has a swollen base.

Edibility

Tricholoma equestre was once considered a choice edible species. However, in the early 2000s, reports emerged of serious adverse reactions to the mushroom, including rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), acute renal failure, and even death. As a result, consumption of this mushroom is now generally discouraged.

Taxonomy

The species was first described scientifically by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, who named it Agaricus equestris. It was later transferred to the genus Tricholoma by Paul Kummer in 1871.

Habitat and distribution

Tricholoma equestre is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. It is found in both coniferous and deciduous forests, often in association with pine trees. It fruits from late summer to late autumn.

See also

• List of Tricholoma species
• Mushroom poisoning