Tricholoma atrosquamosum is a mushroom quite similar to the popular Tricholoma terreum. Both species are edible, therefore the mix up shouldn’t be a concern. Herewith the differences: Tricholoma atrosquamosum is a little bigger, its cap fades from grey dark on the centre to whitish on the peripheria and a lot of minute dark grey scales, 0,5 mm size, cover the cap and discover the white beneath. Also the stipe is grey with scales in contrast with the white grills. Tricholoma atrosquamosum smells pepper.
Tricholoma atrosquamosum is more common below leaved trees than pines.
Although edible, it’s not often collected. Main reason is the toxic species Tricholoma pardinum which also has scales on its grey cap. However, Tricholoma pardinum is a well-built, big mushroom with a thick and short stipe growing in the mountain above 1500m, that is not found in the district of Bages. Similar to Tricholoma atrosquamosum is also T.scalpturatum that grows mainly in oak woods. T.scalpturatum has a grey cap plenty of minute scales as well, though its stipe is white or just grey in the bottom half. Tricholoma scalpturatum is also edible, though not valued. [photos Jordi Badia]