Winter Mushroom (Velvet Foot)

Description:

The Winter Mushroom is one of the few mushrooms that appear late in the season. It has been called a winter mushroom because it is possible to find it in mild thawing weather in winter (yesterday, we had a Jan. thaw). In very young plants the stem is whitish. Older plants it becomes buff. The cap is slimy, brown-yellow or orange; gills run down the stem. Gills broad; rather far apart. Velvet hairs when mature.

Habitat:

On dead tree trunks, old stumps and decaying wood, in tufts or scattered.