Blushing wood mushroom or Field mushroom

Cap 5-12 cm across, hemispherical to egg-shaped when young, becoming convex-flat with age. Color brown to dark brown, with distinct radially arranged dark brown or blackish-brown scales. The center is solid-colored; toward the edge the scales thin out. The surface is dry, not slimy.

Cap 5–15 cm across, spherical in young mushrooms, then flat or slightly umbonate. The surface is white or slightly creamy and cracks in dry weather. Fibrous scales may appear as it matures. The margin is inrolled at first, then straight.

Gilled hymenophore: gills free, crowded. When young they are pinkish-white, and with age they become dark brown to chocolate-blackish. Spore print dark brown.

Gills free (not reaching the stem), crowded, delicate pink at first, then bright pink, and chocolate-brown or blackish in mature mushrooms. The pink color of the gills is a key safety feature that distinguishes the field mushroom from poisonous species with white gills.

Stem 6-12 cm tall, 1-2 cm thick, cylindrical, slightly thickened at the base. Color white to cream, with fine brownish fibers or scales below the ring. A white membranous ring in the upper part, distinct in young specimens.

Stem 4–8 cm tall, 1–2 cm thick, cylindrical, solid, straight. White in color. A characteristic firm membranous ring in the middle of the stem. No volva.

Flesh firm, white; when cut it quickly and distinctly turns wine-red, especially in the lower stem. This is the classic protective feature against Amanita. Pleasant mushroomy smell with an almond-anise note.

Flesh firm, white, turns slightly pink when cut or stays unchanged. It does not turn yellow (yellowing is a sign of poisonous species). The taste is pleasant and richly mushroomy.

Pleasant and mushroomy, with an almond-anise note. It does not smell of ink or medicine (that would point to the yellow stainer).

Smell pronounced, anise-almond with mushroomy notes. This is one of the most aromatic wild mushrooms. With cooking the aroma intensifies and can dominate the dish.