21 October 2008 Surrey. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Common Name Brown roll rim Cap Convex, then flattened, usually with a depressed centre, velvety, especially at the margin, ochraceous to yellowish brown, to about 15 cm across Gills Decurrent, crowded, yellowish brown, darkening on bruising Stem Cylindrical, concolorous with the cap Flesh Ochraceous Smell Pleasant, fruity Taste Acidic Season Late summer to autumn Distribution Very common Habitat In deciduous woods, favouring birch Spore Print Sienna Microscopic Features Spores ellipsoidal, smooth (7-10) x (5-6) µm2 Edibility Poisonous, potentially deadly. This fungus is widely eaten in Eastern Europe, especially Poland, where it is salted or pickled. Nevertheless stomach upsets are commonplace. The poisoning consists of gastrointestinal irritation, and haemolytic anaemia (the breakdown of red blood cells). The toxins can cause long lasting organ damage. 
September 2001 Surrey. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |