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Chroogomphus sp.
Large brown mushroom found growing in leaf litter and pine needles. Pileus (cap) is tan and slick. It is also very thick (difficult to cut through to the flesh). Flattened hairs are present and are visible at the edges. Gills honey to blush and shortly decurrent. Lamellulae are present. Stipe is honey brown and has a hairy surface. Spore print is black to dark brown. Chroogomphus species are often called pine-spikes or spike-caps due to their shape and relationship with pine trees. They are a part of the Gomphidiaceae family and are more closely related to the agaricoid boletes (Suillineae suborder) than to the "true" gilled fungi.
Growing in leaf debris/pine needles on the side of a ridge in a dense mixed hardwood/pine forest. Northwest Georgia.
Spotted on Nov 14, 2017
Submitted on Dec 11, 2017
4 Comments
What Suillus species grew near it? I understand that helps identification. Tentatively this might be Chroogomphus ochraceous.
That fact surprised me as well!
Thank you! I had never heard of it until just recently. I was blown away that this beauty is more closely related to boletes than your typical agarics (gilled mushrooms)!
Cool! I've never heard of this species. Love the first shot - very artistic with the contrast of light and shadows :).