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Edibility
Choice
Lookalike Danger
3 / 5
Habitat
🌱 Pastures
Season
Jul – Oct
"Meadow mushroom's bigger cousin. Smells of anise when fresh. Old ones yellow and turn bitter — pick young."
Mushroom ID is a rule-out game. Every entry below describes something that looks similar — learn the differences before eating.

Horse mushrooms smell of ANISE, have PINK-TO-CHOCOLATE gills, and no volva. Destroying angels are ODORLESS, have WHITE gills throughout life, and rise from a white cup-like volva.
This species is found with or partners with the following hosts. Ectomycorrhizal hosts (green border) form a root-level partnership; ericoid / arbutoid shrubs (purple border) share the same mycorrhizal networks.

Old pasture and unimproved meadow — waxcap indicator habitat, meadow mushroom, fairy ring champignon, giant puffball.
Larger cousin of the meadow mushroom with a distinct anise / almond scent. White cap up to 8 inches, pink-to-chocolate gills, a stout ring on the stem. Common in horse pastures and manured fields.
Pastures (especially with horses), grasslands, roadside verges across Europe and North America. Summer through fall.
Min Soil Temp
58°F
Moisture Need
rain 0.5in 7d
Drought Tolerance
moderate
Elevation Range
0–8,000 ft
DEADLY. Amanitas have pure white gills, NOT pink-browning. Always check.
TOXIC. Stains yellow at the base, phenol smell (not anise).
Pastures
Photograph it and log your observation on iNaturalist. The community can help confirm your ID — always get confirmation before eating.