A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Paxillus involutus sensu lato
About 5cm tall and 2-3cm across, growing in coniferous area of mixed woodland. Lots of P. involutus around but these were smaller and clustered unlike the others. Sour taste like other P. involutus I've found
October 2014 folder
3 Comments
Yes I agree caution must be taken eating any fungi, I often taste a little piece (and spit this out) to gather more information. Michael Jordans Encyclopedia of Fungi says this is fine from a mycotoxin point of view (probably best to be careful of animal faeces though!). Thanks for the tip fungi!
Yes, Paxillus involutus s.lat. for sure, but it's a species complex (including P. vernalis, P. validus and P. obscurisporus). Color of spore deposit is one of the important diagnostic characters.
Ok, I'm betting the rent on fungi!! What's deceptive here is that you have some pine needles (probably) over the body. Keep an eye out there - chances are you will see more of these - especially given possible damp conditions. I would urge caution in eating any fungi until certain it is safe.