Bitter Knight

Bitter Knight Tricholoma acerbum (Bull.) Quél. (illustrated 40% life size) Cap 7–12cm across, convex, margin strongly incurved and usually ribbed; yellowish-buff to tan. Stem 30–70×20–30mm, bulbous and often pointed at base; becoming yellowish-buff below apex, which is covered in densely crowded, minute, yellowish, granular scales. Flesh white; thick; taste peppery and bitter, but sometimes mild, smell fruity. Gills crowded, whitish to yellowish at first, becoming spotted reddish-brown. Spores 4–6×3–4¼, subglobose to ovate. Spore print white. Habitat in mixed woodland; autumn. Uncommon, vulnerable on Red Data List. Not edible too bitter and of poor quality, although it is eaten in some places after parboiling.