A superb mushroom with a strong scent of almonds, this mushroom was initially collected wild in a secluded location in the Dandenong Ranges – resembling a small Agaricus augustus in some ways, but with a pinkish scaled cap and strong orange staining. Collections have varying levels of almond smell and orange staining – and some with pale grey to chocolate brown gills.
DNA sequencing has demonstrated that these small ‘pinkies’ actually match a new and un-named Agaricus species with a sequence designated JL495057 on GenBank. This species sits quite closely with Agaricus viridopurpurascens, Agaricus dimunitivis and Agaricus semotus in section minores.
We have now made four separate collections of JL495057 (all are 100% JL495057, 97% viridopurpurascens accept one which was closer to viridopurpurescens).
The smell of these mushrooms is truly amazing. I baked one for identification purposes and our house was filled with the most amazing, appetite-stimulating smell!
The small size, pink cap and potent almond/marzipan smells with yellow to orange staining that does not fade with time set this species apart and its sequence sits distant from most other local almond Agaricus which sit in section arvensis rather than minores
Lovely gallery there!!!