On the trunk of a fallen beech tree. 3 October 2025 Rufus Stone, New Forest, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Synonymns Pholiota aurivella Cap Convex, then flattened, slimy, covered with dark slimy scales, yellow to yellow brown, to about 15 cm across Gills Adnate, crowded, yellowish then reddish brown Stem +/- equal with a short lasting cottony ring at the apex, smooth at the apex, coarsely scaly below, yellow to yellow brown Flesh Yellow, firm Smell Indistinct Taste Bitter Season Autumn Distribution Frequent Habitat On dead beech wood Spore Print Rusty brown Microscopic Features Spores ellipsoidal, smooth (7-9) x (5-6) µm2 Edibility Inedible Notes See also P. limonella, which has narrower spores and does not occur on beech, and P. cerifera which grows on willow. 
Spores in Congo Red solution viewed with a 100X immersion objective. 3 October 2025 Rufus Stone, New Forest, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
3 October 2025 Rufus Stone, New Forest, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
13 September 2008 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
13 September 2008 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
9 September 2006 Buckinghamshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
1 October 2025 Near Brockenhurst, New Forest, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |