About this fungus
Golden Scalycap is a fungus in the Strophariaceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A robust golden-yellow to tawny mushroom growing in clusters from trunks, stumps or large branches. Damp caps are sticky and carry scattered darker scales.
What to check
Confirm direct growth from wood, a genuinely sticky or greasy cap when damp, darker flattened cap scales and attached gills that mature from pale cream to rusty brown. A partial veil leaves a ring or ring zone, and the stem below it is scaly. There is no volva.
Variation
Caps range from bright golden-yellow to tawny or rusty brown. Rain can wash away scales and older caps can be much smoother, while the ring may become indistinct.
Lookalikes
Pholiota limonella and Pholiota adiposa are very similar, and the name P. aurivella has been applied inconsistently in older works. Reliable separation may require microscopic features and regional expertise. Other yellow-brown clusters on wood should not be identified from colour alone.
Habitat and range
Saprotrophic or weakly parasitic on broadleaved trees, especially beech, birch and other hardwoods, with occasional reports on conifers. It fruits on standing trunks, wounds, stumps and fallen wood.
Food safety
Inedible.
Photographs
Attribution pending
Rocky Houghtby / CC BY-SA 3.0