About Tricholoma columbetta (Fr.) P.Kumm.
This species has the scientific name Tricholoma columbetta (Fr.) P.Kumm. The mushroom fruit bodies are white or ivory-colored, sometimes with a pale ochre tinge on the center of the cap, or pinkish, violet-blue, or greenish spots. Young specimens have conical caps, which expand to convex or flattish with a wavy margin when mature. Caps measure 4–10 cm in diameter, and can be slightly sticky when wet. The cap center may either have a small boss or be depressed. The gills are adnate and widely spaced. The cylindrical stalk is 6–14 cm tall and 0.8–2 cm thick, with no ring. The mushroom has a mealy smell that becomes stronger when the mushroom is cut. The spore print is white, and individual spores measure 5–7.5 x 3.5–5.5 μm. Tricholoma columbetta is edible and has a pleasant taste. The similar species Tricholoma albidum stains yellow when cut or bruised, while T. columbetta may be confused with paler specimens of the poisonous Entoloma lividum; E. lividum differs by having a more grey-white cap and yellow or pink gills. Tricholoma columbetta is widespread across Europe. It forms mycorrhizal relationships with oak (Quercus), and grows in woodlands, parks, and rarely sand dunes, on sandy, mildly acidic soils. Mushrooms fruit from August to November overall; in southern Finland, they only appear in August and September. In 2010, Roger Phillips reported what seems to be the first record of this species in North America.
