The Russian name for the mushroom champignon comes from the French word champignon, which simply means 'mushroom'. All of us have long been accustomed to the fact that edible champignons are grown in special greenhouses, and therefore we consider this mushroom almost artificial. However, there are many types of champignons that grow naturally: in forests, and in meadows and pastures. They are no less tasty than those grown in artificial myceliums and certainly do not contain any additives.
On this page you can see a photo and description of the types of mushrooms growing in natural conditions: field, common, two-ring and Bernard.
What ordinary champignons mushrooms look like: photo and description
Category: edible.
The cap of the common champignon (Agaricus campestris) (diameter 6-16 cm): white or light brown, has the shape of a hemisphere, which changes over time to almost spread. Velvety to the touch, rarely with small scales.
As you can see in the photo of this type of champignons, the stem of the mushroom (height 4-11 cm) of the same color with the cap, straight and even, expands closer to the base. In the middle part it has a noticeable wide white ring.
Plates: change color from whitish to pinkish and then light brown.
Flesh: white, but noticeably turns pink at the fracture site and on contact with air.
According to its description, common champignon is difficult to confuse with any other species; this mushroom has no twins.
When it grows: from late May to mid-October in temperate countries of Eurasia.
Where can you find it: on the fertilized soils of parks and vegetable gardens or in cemeteries. Making its way through asphalt and other hard surfaces, this type of champignon mushrooms can develop a stubborn pressure of seven atmospheres.
Eating: Edible mushrooms common champignons are used in cooking in almost any form, except for pickling and pickling.
Application in traditional medicine (data have not been confirmed and have not passed clinical studies!): In the form of a tincture, which has a strong bactericidal effect. This remedy was considered very effective during typhoid fever epidemics.
Other names: real champignon, pechin (in Ukraine and Belarus).
Field champignon: description of appearance and photo
Category: edible.
In 1762, the field champignon (Agaricus arvensis) was singled out into a separate group by the professor of the Wittenberg and Tübingen universities, Jacob Scheffer, a botanist, ornithologist and entomologist.
In appearance, field mushroom is slightly different from other species. Hat (diameter 7-22 cm): white, gray, cream or light ocher (in old mushrooms) with remnants of the coverlet. It has the shape of a small egg or bell, but over time becomes almost prostrate with a noticeable tubercle in the center. The edges of young mushrooms are wrapped inward, and later become wavy. In dry weather, they can severely crack, due to which they become uneven and torn. It is smooth to the touch, in rare cases it can have small scales. Leg (height 5-12 cm): usually the same color as the cap, turns yellow when pressed, fibrous, cylindrical, and has a large double-layer ring. Often tapers from bottom to top. In young mushrooms it is solid, but becomes hollow over time. Easily detaches from the cap.
Plates: can be white-gray, brownish, with a mustard or purple tint, in old mushrooms they are dark brown or black.
Flesh: white or light yellow, very firm, turns yellow on cut and on contact with air. Tastes sweet.
The description and photo of the field mushroom are similar to the description and photo of the pale toadstool (Amanita phalloides) and the yellow-skinned champignon (Agaricus xanthodermus).
However, the toadstool has no aniseed scent and has a single-layer ring on the stem. And the yellow-skinned champignon has a strong medicinal smell of carbolic acid.
Field mushrooms grow from late May to early November in the northern regions of Russia.
Where it can be found: In open areas of forests, fields and pastures, it can be found in mountainous areas, nettle thickets or near fir trees. Large groups of field mushrooms sometimes form 'witch rings'.
Eating: both fresh and after any kind of processing. A very tasty mushroom, considered a delicacy in many countries.
Application in traditional medicine (data have not been confirmed and have not been clinically tested!): In the form of an extract as an effective remedy in the treatment of diabetes. Broths have been used since ancient times in the outback as an antidote for snake bites.
Important! Field mushrooms often accumulate heavy metals. Cadmium, copper and other elements in high doses can be hazardous to health. Try to pick mushrooms in an ecologically clean area.
The British call the field mushroom horse mushroom because it often grows on horse dung.
Edible Bernard Champignon Mushroom
Category: edible.
Bernard champignon hat (Agaricus bernardii) (diameter 6-16 cm): white, gray or ash, slightly convex or almost completely flat, sometimes with scales. Very fleshy, with curled edges. In dry weather, it can become covered with fine cracks.
Leg (height 4-12 cm): cylindrical.
Records: very frequent. Young mushrooms are pale pink in color, with time they become creamy brown.
Flesh: white, visibly turns pink with age.
The photo and description of Bernard's champignons resembles the writing of two-ring champignons (Agaricus bitorquis) with a sour smell, double ring. However, the cap of Agaricus bitorquis does not crack.
When it grows: from late June to mid-October in almost all European countries.
Where can you find it: on salt or sandy soils.
Eating: in any form.
Application in traditional medicine: not applicable.
Important! Bernard's champignon often grows along dirty roads and highways and absorbs gas vapors and road dirt a lot, so eat only those mushrooms that are collected in environmentally friendly places.
Description of two-ring champignon
Category: edible.
Leg of two-ring champignon (Agaricus bitorquis) (height 4-12 cm): smooth, white, with a double ring.
Plates: frequent, pinkish or light red.
Flesh: firm, at the cut and when interacting with air, slowly but noticeably turns pink.
The mushroom got its name due to the characteristic double ring formed by the remains of the bedspread.
Hat (diameter 5-18 cm): off-white or light gray. Fleshy and thick, usually smooth to the touch, and only rarely can it have small scales.
Application in traditional medicine: not applicable.
Important! Often, double-ringed champignons grow near busy highways and dirty roads, so they can accumulate harmful substances.
Other names: sidewalk champignon.
The description of the two-ring champignon mushroom is similar to the description of the Bernard champignon.
When it grows: from early May to late September in countries of the Eurasian continent with a temperate climate.
Where to find it: In fertilized orchards and vegetable gardens, often in city parks, ditches, and roadsides.
Eating: in any form.
