Fungus
Grey Knight
Tricholoma terreumAlso known as Dirty Tricholoma
Grey knights form extensive mycorrhizal networks with two-needle pines and other conifers, often fruiting late into autumn and winter after frosts have begun. Small to medium in size, their caps display dry, velvety mouse-grey scales over a pale background with brittle, white gills beneath. Dense clusters frequently erupt through thick mats of pine needles on well-drained sandy or calcareous soils.
MycorrhizalConifer ForestLate Season
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyMycorrhizal (symbiotic with conifers)
Predators
- Fungus gnats
- Slugs
- Red squirrels
ThreatsSoil compaction and loss of mature conifer stands
HabitatsConiferous woodlands, particularly under pine trees
Life spanPerennial mycelium living decades; fruiting bodies 1–2 weeks
Classification
- OrderAgaricales
- FamilyTricholomataceae
- GenusTricholoma
- SpeciesTricholoma terreum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
- Visual ID: Check for the absence of a distinct stem ring and note the brittle white gills.
- Spore printing: Take a spore print on dark paper to confirm its pure white spore deposit.
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