Appearance
Initially, the cap is hemispherical, later becoming convex, with a diameter of 5 to 18 cm. The cap surface is covered with silk-like fibers, although in maturity it develops small scales. The color of the cap may range from white to grayish or dull reddish brown; the cap margin typically splits with age. The flesh of "A. subrufescens" is white, and has the taste of "green nuts", with the odor of almonds. The gills are not attached to the stalk, narrow, and crowded closely together. They start out whitish in color, then later pinkish, and finally black-brown as the spores mature. Spores are ellipsoid, smooth, dark purplish-brown when viewed microscopically, with dimensions of 6–7.5 by 4–5 μm. The stipe is 6 to 15 cm by 1 to 1.5 cm thick, and bulbous at the base. Initially solid, the stipe becomes hollow with age; it is cottony to scaly toward the base. The annulus is abundant and double-layered; it is bent downward toward the stem, smooth and whitish on the upper side, and covered with cottony scales on the lower side."Agaricus subrufescens" is edible, with a somewhat sweet taste and an almond aroma resulting from benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, benzonitrile, and methyl benzoate.
Distribution
"Agaricus subrufescens" forms fruit bodies singly or in clusters in leaf litter in rich soil, often in domestic habitats. Originally described from the northeastern United States and Canada, it has been found growing in California, Hawaii, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Philippines, Iran Australia, Brazil and Uruguay.Uses
Used in traditional and alternative medicine for its supposed anti-cancer effects, "Agaricus" mushrooms have not been assessed by sufficient high-quality clinical research to define safety and biological properties upon consumption as a food, dietary supplement, or drug. Preliminary research indicates "Agaricus" products may have toxic effects on liver function marked by increased serum level of liver enzymes, especially in people with ovarian cancer, and may cause allergic reactions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued warning letters to companies marketing "Agaricus" supplement products with unproven health claims of providing benefits to the immune system.A type of ergostane-type compounds called blazeispirols have been isolated from "A. subrufescens".
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