This splendid mushroom is a choice edible species and one that can grow to 30 cm diameter, although 15 to 20 cm is more commonly the cap diameter at maturity. Parasol mushrooms sometimes reach a height of 45 cm and they quite commonly grow taller than 25 cm. The Agaricae include many edible mushrooms.
Great care is therefore necessary when gathering any kind of parasol mushroom to eat.
When cut, the flesh of this mushroom reddens noticeably. On the thick, double stem ring is movable in mature specimens. Another distinctive feature is the snakeskin patterning on the stem.