MycoNote

This English version was machine-translated from Ukrainian, so a few things may read a little off.

Button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)
Photo: Мыць Денис · CC0 · source
Edible

Button mushroomAgaricus bisporus

Expert-verified

Updated October 3, 2026

Passport

Edibility
Edible
Season
Apr — Oct
Hymenophore
Gilled
Cap color
White
Size
Medium (5–15 cm)
Smell
Pleasant, mushroomy
Reviewed
Yes ✓

Quick answers

Where to look?

Meadow, Field

When does it appear?

Apr — Oct

Active months: April, May, June, July, August, September, October.

How to recognize it? Three signs

  • Cap color: White, Cream, Brown
  • Cap shape: Convex, Flat
  • Smell: Pleasant, mushroomy, Anise

Fruiting season

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

April – October

Description

The button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is the most widely cultivated mushroom in the world, sold as the "champignon". In the wild it is rare, found in compost and enriched soils in Europe and North Africa. It is grown commercially in a white form (button) and a brown form (cremini, portobello).

Unlike its wild relatives, commercial strains lack a pronounced smell and taste, but they have a firm texture and keep longer. Wild specimens are more aromatic and fuller in flavor.

Edible raw and cooked. One of the most hypoallergenic mushrooms, and easy to digest.

Cap

Cap 5–12 cm across, globular or hemispherical in young mushrooms, then flat-convex. Surface smooth or slightly scaly, from white to grayish brown depending on the strain. Margin rolled under in young mushrooms.

Hymenophore

Gills free, crowded, pink or pale at first, then darkening to purplish brown and almost black. Gill color is a reliable sign of freshness: pink means a fresh mushroom, dark brown means a mature one.

Stem

Stem 3–8 cm tall, 1–2 cm thick, even or slightly tapering downward, firm, solid. White. A thin membranous ring in the upper or middle part. No volva.

Flesh

Flesh firm, white, turning slightly pinkish when cut. Does not yellow. Taste mild, neutral in cultivated forms, more pronounced in wild specimens.

Smell

Cultivated forms have a moderate, mushroomy, unobtrusive smell. Wild specimens have a more distinct, slightly anise-almond aroma. Frying intensifies the aroma many times over.

Lookalikes

⚠ Poisonous
Yellow stainer
Agaricus xanthodermus
× Edible
Field mushroom
Agaricus campestris

Related species

Mushrooms of the same genus and habitat — to study side by side and never mix up.

Agaricus abruptibulbus (Agaricus abruptibulbus)

Agaricus abruptibulbus

Edible
Agaricus comtulus (Agaricus comtulus)

Agaricus comtulus

Edible

Agaricus haemorrhoidarius

Agaricus haemorroidarius

Edible
Agaricus romagnesii

Agaricus romagnesii

Edible

Agaricus squamuliferus

Edible
Agaricus subperonatus (Agaricus subperonatus)

Agaricus subperonatus

Edible
Agaricus tabularis (Agaricus tabularis)

Agaricus tabularis

Edible
Blushing wood mushroom (Agaricus silvaticus)

Blushing wood mushroom

Agaricus silvaticus

Edible

Related reading

Frequently asked questions

Is Button mushroom edible or poisonous?
Button mushroom is edible. Before eating any wild mushroom, always double-check current information in reliable sources and consult an expert.
Does Button mushroom have gills or pores?
The spore-bearing surface (hymenophore) of Button mushroom: gilled.
What does the cap of Button mushroom look like?
Cap 5–12 cm across, globular or hemispherical in young mushrooms, then flat-convex. Surface smooth or slightly scaly, from white to grayish brown depending on the strain. Margin rolled under in young mushrooms.
What does the stem of Button mushroom look like?
Stem 3–8 cm tall, 1–2 cm thick, even or slightly tapering downward, firm, solid. White. A thin membranous ring in the upper or middle part. No volva.
What do Button mushroom smell and taste like?
Cultivated forms have a moderate, mushroomy, unobtrusive smell. Wild specimens have a more distinct, slightly anise-almond aroma. Taste: mild.
Where does Button mushroom grow?
Typical habitats: Meadow, Field.
When should you pick Button mushroom?
It fruits in: April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
What can Button mushroom be confused with?
Button mushroom can be mistaken for: Yellow stainer, Field mushroom. Study the distinguishing features carefully — detailed comparisons are in the “Lookalikes” section.
How do you cook Button mushroom?
Button mushroom can be fried, boiled, pickled and dried. Before cooking, it's recommended to boil it for 10–15 minutes and drain the water.
Can you dry Button mushroom?
Yes, Button mushroom is well suited to drying and freezing. Dried mushrooms keep their aroma and work well in soups, sauces and fillings.
What is the scientific name of Button mushroom?
The Latin name is Agaricus bisporus. It belongs to the genus Agaricus, family Agaricaceae.

Sources

  • [1]Атлас грибів України, Зеров Д.К. (1979)
  • [2]GBIF