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Award-winning chef, author and forager Alan Bergo. Food is all around you.

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Giant Shaggy Parasols

Giant shaggy parasols Chlorophyllum rhacodes (28)

Look at the size of that furry ring on the stem!

“Hey do you know what these mushrooms are?” Is one of my favorite messages. My friends, family and acquaintances around North America regularly send me images of mushrooms they’re curious about, and it’s like having multiple pairs of eyes.

The best messages though, come from local people at locations I can travel to quickly in the event they’ve found something interesting, as was the case with a large batch of completely subterranean Tricholoma populinus this November.

Earlier this summer though, my friend Zach, (the lumberjack behind Foxwalk Sawmill), sent me a picture that stopped me in my tracks. Parasol mushrooms, and lots of them, in his wooded backyard 15 minutes away. 

Giant shaggy parasols Chlorophyllum rhacodes (10)

Fairy land.

I drove over faster than spores on the wind, handed him 100$ (a bounty keeps the info coming) and ran into the grove of oaks and hardwoods behind the cabin he built by hand. In an open, dappled area, there were the most parasol mushrooms I’d ever seen growing, spread out in the wide arc of a fairy ring.

Giant shaggy parasols Chlorophyllum rhacodes

Top town shot. Note the slight brown bruising on the stem of the drumstick, brown-rust coloration of the cut stem, as well as the “shedding” of the cap scales on the ground.

I haven’t picked a shaggy parasol in at least four years, my spots for them in the Twin Cities having both been developed for condos (audible crying). Even then, when my spots produced it was never more than a pound or two of mushrooms. 

Before I got too excited, I had to make sure the mushrooms weren’t Chlorophyllum molybdites, which I knew I’d be able to do quickly as some of the mushrooms were mature, with open caps.

I knew the season was perfect for Chlorophyllum rhacodes which generally fruit later generally than Molybdites (these were found October 13), and every ounce of instinct told me they were going to be delicious, but, if there was even a hint of the tell-tale green spores of “The Sickener”, I’d be packing up and going home early, mushroom-less.

If you’re a mushroom hunter, you’ll know that tingly feeling though. Deep down, all I could see was a basket of beautiful parasols sitting in my kitchen. I knew they were edible, but it’s a good rule of thumb to practice your I.D. due diligence. 

Young shaggy parasol mushroom or Chlorophyllum rhacodes

I dropped down to my knees just to take it all in: the biggest fairy ring I’ve ever picked from. Giant mushrooms, some of the caps as big as dinner plates, stems of larger mushrooms coming in at eight-ten inches long, and other young ones popping up with the signature shaggy parasol chicken drummy look.

Large shaggy parasol mushroom or Chlorophyllum rhacodes mushrooms

Notice how the scales of the cap easily “shed”.

They were parasols alright, but the size didn’t quite fit. They were massive mushrooms, absolutely huge, bigger than any shaggy parasols I’d ever seen. With the lack of green spores, I knew they were edible, but, I didn’t know exactly who they were.

Shaggy parasol or Chlorohpyllum rhacodes mushroom cap and stem

The stems pictured measure about 8 inches long for reference.

With their large size, I mistakenly thought they could be Macrolepiota, and, as I’d heard about the genus containing undescribed specimens, I got excited.

Confusingly though, the mushrooms had all the hallmarks I associate with Chlorophyllum rhacodes: deep orange to rust staining when cut, drumstick shape on younger specimens, growing in partial sun, shaggy, fluffy caps, and, most interesting of all: a giant, fluffy annulus (ring) on the stem, which really threw me for a loop. Either way, I ate a bunch, and they were delicious. 

Shaggy parasol ID points that stick out to me 

Cut stem and orange staining of Chlorophyllum rhacodes
Orange color of the cut stem may gradually darkens to reddish.
Cap, gills, and cut stem of Chlorophyllum rhacodes
No visible green hue on mature gills. Gills also bruise a rusty color. “Shaggy cap scales easily flake off.
Giant shaggy parasols Chlorophyllum rhacodes outside
Young mushrooms with a drumstick shape and brown near the bottom.
Shaggy parasol or Chlorohpyllum rhacodes mushroom cap and stem
Note the fluffy ring.

The art of mushroom hunting for culinary purposes doesn’t have to be an exact science, and I think more people should know that you can find a wild edible, and know it is safe to consume beyond a shadow of a doubt without having keyed out the specimen to species. It really is one of the most inviting parts of the hobby.  

Dried shaggy parasol mushroooms

One of two gallons jars of dried caps I got from a few minutes of harvesting.

Even so, there’s always part of you that wants to know their true identity, Latin names being a sort of invocation and stamp of approval nearly as delicious as the first bite of buttery cap. 

After I processed them (some dried, some cooked and frozen) and stuffed my face with a couple pounds, I sent some images, and a casual plea, to mycologist and cantharellaceae sage Professor Greg Thorn. Unfortunately Lepiotoids aren’t his specialty.

Stuffed parasol mushroom caps with wild rice

Stuffed shaggy parasol caps with wild rice were in order.

Fortunately, Greg connected me with Else Vellinga, an expert on Lepiotoid mushrooms (great podcast with her here on Welcome to Mushroom Hour, she’s named 22 species to date!).

Else immediately confirmed my giant parasols were Chlorophyllum rhacodes, so I assume the variation in size apparently a moot point and not something that would differentiate them on a species level.

Pigeon noodle bowl with dried shaggy parasol mushrooms

Pigeon noodle bowl, with watercress and dried parasols was excellent.

Variation in size of mushrooms is relatively common, but I had never seen it so pronounced, some of the giant rhacodes were nearly a foot tall, where others I’ve harvested, by my estimation, would be about 6-7 inches at max. Either way, they’re delicious, and I have a new spot I can check from now on. 

Large shaggy parasol or Chlorophyllum rhacodes mushrooms
More

Shaggy Parasol Mushrooms 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. MARIE FORBES

    January 1, 2022 at 9:45 am

    LOVED THIS ARTICLE. I HAVE SEEN THESE SHAGGY PARASOLS BACK HOME WHILE WALKING THE FOREST TRAILS IN WESTON, MA SO GOOD TO KNOW THEY ARE EDIBLE!
    I AM IN FLORIDA FOR THE WINTER AND WANT TO KNOW IF ANYONE KNOWS ABOUT A MYCOLOGY GROUP IN THE PALM BEACH AREA?

    Reply
  2. Dorothy Bacon

    January 1, 2022 at 9:53 am

    How did I miss out on all that,? Happy for you though🥰

    Reply
    • Alan Bergo

      January 1, 2022 at 12:33 pm

      I still have plenty dried. They’re great in noodle soup. We can have some when you get back.

      Reply
  3. Monica Braicu

    January 1, 2022 at 11:18 am

    I am so jelous and in the same time, very happy for you! I am a mushroom hunter myself, my dad passed to me this magic endeavour since I was a child.
    Hunting mushrooms with him in the Romanian forrests are my best memories! We have a vacation place in North Carolina and I do pick up wild mushrooms in the Apalachian mountains. I believe that I had seen this mushrooms in my neck of the hoods, but that was in July or August. I remember they were firm and meaty, but I had difficulty identifying them and I …let them go…. I loved the article with the black trumpets, we have plenty of those in my area and they are delicious, I will try your recipe. I love all your articles, dear forager chef, they are very inspiring, keep them comming! I wish you a very happy New Year with health, peace and joy and amazing foraging experiences!

    Reply
    • Alan Bergo

      January 1, 2022 at 12:32 pm

      Thanks Monica, I’m hoping that the images and description of the large shaggys can be helpful to people who run into similar ones.

      Reply
  4. Donna Hartmann

    January 1, 2022 at 11:33 am

    Congratulations on your exciting and delicious bounty!

    Reply
    • Alan Bergo

      January 1, 2022 at 12:33 pm

      Thanks Donna. Hopefully someone can find it helpful.

      Reply
  5. Jacqui

    January 1, 2022 at 6:05 pm

    Mmmm – looks fabulous. I have some good parasol spots for both Macrolepiota procera and Chlorophyllum rhacodes and often make parasol lasagna (mushroom heads in place of the pasta) but the most fun are “parasol pizzas”. They are just perfect for individual pizza bases, and gluten-free to boot.

    Reply
  6. Tammie

    January 1, 2022 at 7:54 pm

    wonderful post on these beauties.
    I hear they can be grown by spreading the caps/spores around in the right areas.
    So far I have not had luck doing this, but hey, who knows what will pop up next season.
    Thank you for all the info you shared.

    Reply
  7. Will K.

    January 4, 2022 at 11:05 am

    Very cool. I haven’t those in my area (central VA), but we do have (and I do collect) Macrolepiota procera and Leucoagaricus americanus (or whatever they’re calling it these days).

    Reply
  8. m cohl

    January 5, 2022 at 3:16 pm

    One of my favorites!,,,when they show up!

    Reply
  9. Darrell

    April 30, 2022 at 12:55 pm

    I live in north eastern grain belt part of Saskatchewan. We pick these giant parasol mushrooms every year on our farm. Have picked as many as 6 5 gallon pails full at a time. My wife canes them and we get to enjoy them year around. They are delicious.

    Reply
    • Alan Bergo

      April 30, 2022 at 3:43 pm

      Haven’t heard of anyone canning them yet, that’s great.

      Reply

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Alan Bergo
I liked the staff meal I made for Mondays shoot so I liked the staff meal I made for Mondays shoot so much we filmed it instead of the original dish I’d planned. 

Cooked natural wild rice (not the black shiny stuff) is great hot, cold, sweet or savory. It’s a perfect, filling lunch for a long day of berry picking. 

I make them with whatever I have on hand. Mushrooms will fade into the background a little here, so I use a bunch of them, along with lots of herbs and hickory nut oil + dill flowers. 

I’m eating the leftovers today back up in the barrens (hopefully) getting some more bluebs for another shoot this week w @wild.fed 

#wilwilwice #wildrice #chanterelles #campfood #castironcooking
Baby’s first homegrown mushrooms! Backyard wine Baby’s first homegrown mushrooms! Backyard wine caps on hardwood sawdust from my lumberjack buddy.

Next up blewits. Spawn from @northsporemushrooms

#winecaps #strophariaaeruginosa #allthemushroomtags
It’s wild cherry season. I’ll be picking from It’s wild cherry season. I’ll be picking from my favorite spot tomorrow a.m. and have room for a couple helpers. It’s at an event on a farm just south of St. Cloud. 

If you’re interested send me a message and I’ll raffle off the spots. Plenty of cherries to go around. I’ll be leading a short plant walk around the farm too. 

#chokecherries #foraging #prunusvirginiana #summervibes
Special thanks to the beach in Ashland for hooking Special thanks to the beach in Ashland for hooking it up with on-site garnishes. Beach pea flowers taste strong and leguminous, similar to vetch, or like a rich tasting pea shoot. 

#lathyrusjaponicus #beachpeas #peaflower #foraging #northshore #bts
Great, long day of filming in near the south shore Great, long day of filming in near the south shore of Lake Superior yesterday. 

Blueberries were sparse, and some kind of blight seems to be affecting the serviceberries. Chanterelles weren’t as good as 2020, but they were there. 

Quick dip in the Lake Superior after we broke set was a bonus. 

W/ @barebonesliving  @misterberndt @jesseroesler

#barebonesliving #foraging #lakesuperiorrocks #serviceberries #chanterelles #bts
Green ramp seed make a great lactoferment. Just pu Green ramp seed make a great lactoferment. Just put the green seeds in brine in a jar, leave for 2 weeks. 

After they’re sour they can be water bath processed, although I’ve stored them at room temp without an issue too. 

Finished product is great minced or puréed into places where you’d like garlic, capers, or both. 

Makes a great tzatziki with a little crumbled, dried bee balm. 

#tzatziki #ramps #rampseeds #foraging #fermentation
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