Dark Scaled Knight

Dark Scaled Knight Tricholoma atrosquamosum (Chevall.) Sacc. syn. T. terreum var. atrosquamosum (Chevall.) Massee (illustrated 30% life size) Cap 4–12cm across, flattened convex with a slight umbo; grey or pale clay; densely covered with pointed, blackish-grey scales. Stem 30–80×10–20mm; paler than the cap, greyish with blackish scales. Flesh greyish; taste slightly mealy, smell aromatic or peppery. Gills white to grey, the edge dotted with black. Spores 4.5–9×3–6¼. Spore print white. Habitat in coniferous and deciduous woods; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Edible.