The Prince Agaric Agar Plate
The Prince Agaric Agar Plate
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Species | Agaricus augustus |
Difficulty ℹ️ | 🍄🍄🍄🍄 |
Spore Coloration | Brown |
Ecology |
Saprotrophic |
Edibility | Choice |
This stunning species, sometimes called "the Prince," is fairly common in California and the Pacific Northwest. It grows under conifers, but is not usually a woodland species; it seems to prefer conifers growing near roads, paths, gardens, parks, and so on. Agaricus augustus is fairly easily identified by its large size, its scaly brown cap, and its strong odor, which is sharp and reminiscent of almonds. A few similar species can be eliminated by adding the Prince's white-then-brown (never pink) gills to the list of distinguishing features, along with its scaly stem.
This mushroom is a choice edible, and is collected widely for consumption in Eurasia, the United States, Canada and some parts of Mexico. A. augustus has been implicated in specifically bioaccumulating the metal cadmium, with a quantity of 2.44 mg per kilogram of fresh weight as recorded in one Swiss study. The same phenomenon is true for other edible species of Agaricus, namely A. arvensis, A. macrosporus and A. silvicola, though quantities may vary greatly depending on species, which part of the fruiting body is analysed, and the level of contamination of the substrate. Specimens collected near metal smelters and urban areas have a higher cadmium content. The hymenium contains the highest concentration of metal, followed by the rest of the cap, while the lower part of the stem contains the least.
The fruiting bodies of Agaricus augustus are large and distinctive agarics. The cap shape is hemispherical during the so-called button stage, and then expands, becoming convex and finally flat, with a diameter from 8–30 cm (3–12 in). The cap cuticle is dry, and densely covered with concentrically arranged, brown-coloured scales on a white to yellow background.
What Is An Agar Plate?
What Is An Agar Plate?
An agar plate is a petri dish with solidified nutrient solution (I make mine with light malt extract, generally). The dish is sealed with parafilm to keep it sterile while the transfer colonizes the plate.
The mycelial bodies grow on our agar plates in sterile incubators before being shipped to you!
How Do I Store Agar Plates?
How Do I Store Agar Plates?
Keep your agar plates ideally in the fridge, within a ziplock bag. Let them come to room temperature before opening them - it'll prevent condensation!
How Do I Use Agar Plates?
How Do I Use Agar Plates?
Grab your scalpel and get to work! Need a scalpel? Check my gear page!
Slides from agar plates can be propagated onto other mediums very easily. The beauty of agar plates is the ability to be absolutely certain that your sample is healthy and clean!
When Will My Agar Plate Ship?
When Will My Agar Plate Ship?
All of my agar plates are made-to-order. This ensures that you have nothing but the freshest, most voracious mycelium when it gets to your doorstep.
Please check for your individual species on this page to see colonization times.
If you're interested in ordering agar plates and other items like liquid culture, or mushroom spores, you can have your order shipped in two by adding this item!
What Comes In My Package?
What Comes In My Package?
For each agar plate in your order, you'll receive a healthy, colonized agar plate, and an additional piece of parafilm in case you need to reseal it.
What if Something Goes Wrong?
What if Something Goes Wrong?
If you any questions as to the density, sterility or other concerns about your order please email me directly at support@southwesthshroomery.com.
Under no circumstances contact us about cultivation of active spores regardless of legality in your home location. Doing so will result in a cancellation of all open orders and denial of any future orders.
While all of our products are made in the most sterile conditions possible, sometimes contamination happens! I'll make it right!




