This beautiful species is common on woodchips and mulch in gardens and other
horticultural areas on the islands of O`ahu and Hawai`i.  Where bruised, the stipe and
often the lamellae immediately turn brilliant orangish red.  The species often grows
in very large clusters as pictured here.  Lepiota besseyi  is named after Dr. E. A. Bessey
(1877-1957), professor of botany at Michigan State University, who first collected it
in Honolulu, Hawai`i.