The Toxic Yellowing Agaricus is a member of the Agaricus family of mushrooms, all of which are cap and stem mushrooms with a stem ring. A stem ring is the remnant of the partial veil of the mushroom that, after having come up from under the ground, stays attached to the stem. This mushroom is found in grassy areas, parks and anyplace where there is a good deal of moisture and/or rotting plant material.
This mushroom, along with several others, are called by David Arora "the lose your lunch bunch". They are toxic, but not dangerously so. They cause moderate to severe 'gastrointestinal distress'. The reason I chose this one is that this mushroom is a case study in why amateurs should not eat mushrooms unless they are 100% sure of the identification. We found these in, of all places, our front yard. I looked up the mushroom, assumed I checked all the characteristics, and pronounced, with great satisfaction, that we had a Woods Agaricus (Agaricus sylvicola), a good eating mushroom.
Long story short, we ate a few, with Jessie eating the most. Short story very short, Jessie got sick and I didn't. Moral of the Story: Don't eat mushrooms unless you are 1000% certain of the ID.
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