Synonyms: Agaricus cervinus, Agaricus patricius, Agaricus petasatus, Pluteus cervinus, Pluteus patricius, Pluteus pellitus.
Common name: scaly shield.
Pluteus petasatus is a species of fungus that belongs to the family Pluteaceae. It has a distinctive hat-like cap that is 3-8 cm in diameter, often with a wavy or lobed margin, and a stem that is 2-6 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm thick. The cap is typically grayish-brown to tan, while the gills are free from the stem and pinkish-gray to dark gray. In East and Central Texas, Pluteus petasatus has been found growing in fields, meadows, and along roadsides, often in association with grasses and other herbaceous vegetation. It typically fruits from spring to fall, with peak abundance during the summer months. The fungus is considered common in the region, particularly in areas with rich soil and abundant moisture.
Pluteus petasatus mushroom in Wolf Pen Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 5, 2017
Wolf Pen Creek Trail, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Gills of Pluteus petasatus mushroom in Wolf Pen Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 5, 2017Wolf Pen Creek Trail, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Dissected Pluteus petasatus mushroom in Wolf Pen Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 5, 2017Wolf Pen Creek Trail, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Pluteus petasatus mushroom under utility poles in Lemontree Park. College Station, Texas, November 8, 2017Bee Creek, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Gills of Pluteus petasatus mushroom under utility poles in Lemontree Park. College Station, Texas, November 8, 2017Bee Creek, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Dissected Pluteus petasatus mushroom under utility poles in Lemontree Park. College Station, Texas, November 8, 2017Bee Creek, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Pluteus petasatus mushroom on a lawn in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 30, 2017Bee Creek, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Pluteus petasatus mushrooms under oaks on the university golf course at Texas Avenue. College Station, Texas, April 22, 20191207 Texas Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Pluteus petasatus mushrooms on a lawn in Wolf Pen Creek Park. College Station, Texas, April 24, 2019512 Harvey Rd, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Scaly shield mushrooms (Pluteus petasatus) on Yaupon Loop Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 3, 2021Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Underside of scaly shield mushrooms (Pluteus petasatus) on Yaupon Loop Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 3, 2021Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Caps of mushrooms Pluteus petasatus on mulch from recently cut trees in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 28, 202323292 Farm-to-Market Road 1155, Washington, Texas 77880, United States
Cross section of mushrooms Pluteus petasatus on mulch in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 28, 202323292 Farm-to-Market Road 1155, Washington, Texas 77880, United States
Underside of mushrooms Pluteus petasatus on mulch in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 28, 202323292 Farm-to-Market Road 1155, Washington, Texas 77880, United States
Scaly shield mushrooms (Pluteus petasatus) on buried wood near tree roots (spore print light brown) on Yaupon Loop Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 1, 2023Yaupon Loop Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Underside of scaly shield mushrooms (Pluteus petasatus) on Yaupon Loop Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 1, 2023Yaupon Loop Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Cross section of scaly shield mushrooms (Pluteus petasatus) on Yaupon Loop Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 1, 2023Yaupon Loop Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Spores of scaly shield mushrooms (Pluteus petasatus) collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 1, 2023
Scaly shield mushrooms (Pluteus petasatus) on a big pile of wood chips at the entrance of Anderson Arboretum in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 8, 20241899, Anderson Street, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77840, United States
Underside of scaly shield mushrooms (Pluteus petasatus) on a big pile of wood chips at the entrance of Anderson Arboretum in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 8, 20241899, Anderson Street, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77840, United States
Cross section of scaly shield mushrooms (Pluteus petasatus) on a big pile of wood chips at the entrance of Anderson Arboretum in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 8, 20241899, Anderson Street, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77840, United States
Top view of mature caps of scaly shield mushrooms (Pluteus petasatus) on a low cut oak stump on a lawn in Bee Creek Park near City Cemetery. College Station, Texas, February 3, 20241867, Anderson Street, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77840, United States
Top view of scaly shield mushrooms (Pluteus petasatus) on a low cut oak stump on a lawn in Bee Creek Park near City Cemetery. College Station, Texas, February 3, 20241867, Anderson Street, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77840, United States
Side view of scaly shield mushrooms (Pluteus petasatus) on a low cut oak stump on a lawn in Bee Creek Park near City Cemetery. College Station, Texas, February 3, 20241867, Anderson Street, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77840, United StatesObservations of Pluteus petasatus in East and Central Texas revealed the fungus grows in various environments, including lawns, parks, and wood chip piles. It was found in Wolf Pen Creek Park, Lemontree Park, Bee Creek Park, Lick Creek Park, and Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. The mushroom typically fruits in fall, winter, and spring, with observations recorded from November to April, and also in July and December. It often grows under utility poles, oak trees, or on mulch from recently cut trees. The fungus was also found on buried wood near tree roots and on low-cut oak stumps. Spore prints were light brown, and cross-sections of the mushrooms showed typical Pluteus petasatus characteristics. The observations suggest that Pluteus petasatus is widely distributed in East and Central Texas, and can thrive in a range of habitats.
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