Tricholoma orirubens or Soapy knight

Cap 5-10 cm across, when young convex with an inrolled margin, becoming with age flat-convex with a small umbo. The cap skin is matte, with distinct fine black radially fibrous scales on a gray-white to gray-blackish background. The base color is gray-white to ash-gray, darker in the center. When pressed, or with age, it takes on a pinkish-red tint where touched — a diagnostic feature.

Cap 5-12 cm across, when young convex with an inrolled margin, becoming with age flattened-expanded with a small bump. The skin is smooth, slightly slimy in wet weather, dry and matte in dry weather. Color: very variable — gray-white, olive-gray, greenish-gray, brownish-gray, in some forms almost black in the center. Old fruiting bodies have small cracks.

Gilled hymenophore — the gills are sinuately attached to the stem, moderately crowded, fleshy. When young — whitish, becoming with age cream-colored, with a distinct pinkish-red tint where damaged or touched. Spore print white.

Gilled hymenophore — the gills are notched (sinuate) where they attach to the stem, moderately crowded, fleshy. When young they are whitish, becoming with age creamy-grayish, often turning pink when damaged. Spore print white.

Stem 5-8 cm tall, 1-2 cm thick, firm, cylindrical, thickening toward the base. Color whitish to grayish, with characteristic yellow-cream mycelium remnants at the stem base — a diagnostic feature. The surface is smooth with fine lengthwise fibers. No ring.

Stem 5-10 cm tall, 1-2.5 cm thick, firm, cylindrical, thickening toward the base when young. Color: whitish to grayish; pinkish-red spots often appear when damaged — a diagnostic feature. Surface smooth with lengthwise fibers. No ring.

Flesh firm, white, turns pinkish-red 15-30 min after being damaged — a characteristic reaction. Smell distinctly mealy, taste mild, not bitter, with a subtle nutty note.

Flesh firm, white, develops pinkish-red spots when cut or pressed, especially in the lower part of the stem — a characteristic reaction and an important diagnostic. Smell distinctly soapy (laundry soap), taste soapy-bitterish, unpleasant.

A distinct, pleasant mealy smell — like freshly ground flour.

Distinctly soapy — reminiscent of laundry or toilet soap. A diagnostic feature, especially clear when cut and in mature fruiting bodies.