shaggy scalycap

Description:

This large, showy Pholiota is the "type species" for the genus, which means that mycologists have chosen it to represent the "typical" features of pholiotas--namely, a scaly cap and stem (the genus name means "scaly" in Greek), a brown spore print, attached gills, and a partial veil. Pholiota squarrosa may require microscopic analysis for certain identification (see below), but its dry cap, large size, greenish mature gills, and garlicky odor (not present in all collections) serve as fairly good field characters. The similar Pholiota squarrosoides has a frequently sticky cap, gills that go from whitish to rusty brown without a greenish stage, and never smells like garlic--but its smaller spores distinguish it quickly under the microscope ( http://www.mushroomexpert.com/pholiota_s... )

Habitat:

location: North America, Europe edibility: Inedible fungus colour: Yellow normal size: 5-15cm cap type: Distinctly scaly stem type: Ring on stem flesh: Mushroom has distinct or odd smell (non mushroomy) spore colour: Rusty brown habitat: Grows in woods, Grows on wood Pholiota squarrosa (Müller ex Fr.) Kummer syn. Dryophila squarrosa (Müller ex Fr.) Quél. Sparriger Schüppling Pholiote squarreuse Shaggy Scalycap. Cap 3–10(15)cm across, convex becoming flattened, the margin remaining inrolled, pale straw-yellow densely covered in coarse red-brown, upturned scales, not viscid. Stem 50–120 x 10–15mm, smooth and pale yellow above torn membranous ring, covered in red-brown recurved scales below and darkening at the base. Flesh tough, pale yellowish becoming red-brown in stem base. Taste and smell radishy. Gills crowded, pale yellow at first later cinnamon. Pleurocystidia clavate with mucronate apex. Spore print rust brown. Spores oval, smooth, 5.5–9 x 3.5–5um. Habitat in dense clusters at the base of deciduous and very occasionally coniferous trees. Season autumn. Occasional. Not edible. Distribution, America and Europe ( http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/D... )

Notes:

Scientific name: Pholiota squarrosa (Fries) Kummer Derivation of name: Squarros- means "with upright scales, rough, scurfy" (squarrose) in reference to the prominent scales. Synonyms: Common name(s): Scaly Pholiota. Phylum: Basidiomycota Order: Agaricales Family: Strophariaceae Occurrence on wood substrate: Saprobic; typically in cespitose clusters on living or dead deciduous or conifer wood, sometimes at the base of the tree; July through November. Dimensions: Caps 2.5-10 cm; stipes 5-10 cm long and 3-15 mm thick. Cap: Dry; yellow-brown surface covered with pinkish-tan or brownish scales. Gills: Attached; yellow at first, developing green tones, rust- brown at maturity. Spore print: Brown. Stipe: Dry; scaly like the cap. Veil: Yellowish partial veil leaving persistent membranous ring or sometimes ring zone on upper stalk. Edibility: Poisonous. Although some people eat it, it is not recommended as there are reports of gastric upset following ingestion. Comments: Some specimens have an odor of onions or garlic. ( http://www.messiah.edu/Oakes/fungi_on_wo... ), ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pholiota_sq... ) ( http://www.mycobank.org/MycoTaxo.aspx?Li... )