Large White Leucopaxillus
This fungal taxon in the Tricholomataceae family can reach huge size, sometimes dinner plate size or more, but usually is in the 5-20 cm range when found. It grows primarily under conifer trees where it is a needle and duff-decaying saprobe that occurs singly or gregariously in arcs or rings. It has a cosmopolitan distribution in the northern hemisphere. Caps are pale but run the gamut from pure white to creamy to yellowish-tan. Gills are decurrent, white or cream and close. Short gills are numerous. The gills become yellowish to brownish in age. The caps are dry and smooth and sometimes have a leathery feel. This is a stout mushroom with a solid and equal stipe much shorter as a rule than the cap is wide. Stipes are usually in the 4-8 cm range tall and 2.5-4 cm broad. There is often copious mycelium at the base. The flesh is white and unchanging. The odor may be mild or even pleasant, but is usually unpleasant as is the taste. It is not toxic but is not recommended for the table. An unusual feature is its longevity. It strongly resists decay, perhaps because it manufactures the antibiotic clitocybin, and may persist in the field for many weeks.