Macrolepiota procera (NL: Grote parasolzwam / EN: Parasol mushroom / DE: Parasol, Riesenschirmpilz / FR: Lépiote élevée, Coulemelle) is a fungus in the Agaricaceae family. The height and cap diameter of a mature specimen may both reach 40 cm, a size truly impressive for the fruiting body of an agaric. When completely opened the fruiting body resembles a lady's parasol. The stipes surface is characteristically wrapped in a snakeskin-like pattern of scaly growths, is relatively thin and reaches full height before the cap has expanded. The immature cap is compact and egg-shaped, with the cap margin around the stipe. At this stage the fungus resembles a "drum-stick". As it matures, the margin breaks off, leaving a fleshy, movable ring around the stipe. At full maturity, the cap is more or less flat, with a chocolate-brown umbo in the centre that is leathery to touch. Dark and cap-coloured flakes remain on the upper surface of the cap and can be removed easily.

Image: Saint-Hubert (B) - 24/09/2011