Also known as the Roman shield, this gilled mushroom appears in clusters or troops from spring until summer usually under hawthorn and other trees in the rose family such as apple and plum. It is widespread in both Europe and North America. The mushroom is four to six inches tall and has a cap 2 ½ to 4 inches across. The gray-brown cap is bell-shaped until becoming flat with and a distinct umbo. It is slightly gummy in wet weather, and has fine fibrils on the surface as well as an inrolled margin that flattens as it ages and become irregular and lobed. The pale gray gills age to pink and are denticulate and sinuate. The fibrose stem is white before turning brown and is 1/8 to 1 inch in diameter. The spores are pink.
Roman shield is considered edible but barely so since it is difficult to distinguish from poisonous species and there are other better tasting mushrooms. It is the only mushroom in the genus Entoloma that is not poisonous. On the other hand, it has a mealy odor similar to that of St.George mushroom but not as tasty, and is possible for the table. Considering its resemblance to poisonous mushrooms, care must taken to seek expert advice on identification when collecting this mushroom in the wild.
Photo Credit: Linas Kudzma (baravykas). Image Number 247582 at Mushroom Observer https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20604749