Cambridge, UK, November 2022

Shaggy scaleycap (Pholiota squarrosa)

From a distance, I thought these were the edible (though I’m not fond of them myself) honey fungus, but up close I saw the scales were too great in number and prominence, and distinct on the stem as well. 

These were so dramatic growing around the base of a dead beech tree, surrounded by ivy - absolutely beautiful, especially after an otherwise pretty disappointing mushroom walk. 

They are not considered edible, and there are reports of them being seriously toxic when combined with alcohol.

At an elevation of 4,308 ft (1,313 m) above sea level, Bald Knob is a commanding high point from which to view Canaan Valley and the undulating ridges of the Allegheny Mountains to the west. A hike to the summit, via Canaan Valley Resort State Park, can be either challenging or easy, depending on the mode of ascent. For those wanting to test their endurance and stamina, a trailhead adjacent to the ski area will gladly accommodate, with a 900 ft (274 m) vertical rise in about a mile of constant climbing. On the other hand, a visitor can opt for a $5 lift ticket at the ski area and hike essentially downhill from there. Either way, the reward is a breathtaking panorama of some of Central Appalachia's wildest country.

From top: the edible “haws” of one of the many hawthorn trees (Crataegus) that grow in these mountains, providing a valuable food source to wildlife; the bright, clustered berries of the American mountain ash (Sorbus americana), like hawthorn, a member of the Rosaceae family; whorled wood aster (Oclemena acuminata), a lovely mountain aster whose bunched, tightly-alternating leaves give the appearance of being whorled; and a Pholiota mushroom, most likely shaggy scalycap (squarrosa), growing in the hitch of a red spruce tree (Picea rubens).

Pholiota squarrosa

Fungi Festival

Sicamous, BC

17 Sep 2022

mushrooms in a hollow stump at the graveyard

Sparriger Schüppling, Pholiota squarrosa 22.10.23

🍄 Exploring the fascinating world of fungi! Meet Pholiota squarrosa, commonly known as the shaggy scalycap. 🌲 This unique mushroom boasts a cap covered in shaggy scales, giving it a distinctive appearance in the forest. 🍂 But its beauty goes beyond looks – P. squarrosa plays a crucial role in nature by aiding in the decay of trees. 🌳 As it breaks down organic matter, it contributes to the nutrient cycle, highlighting the intricate balance of ecosystems. Nature's recyclers at work! 🌍

Fjällig tofsskivling (Pholiota squarrosa)

Shaggy Scalycap (Boston, MA)

>> Pholiota squarrosa

Secondary parasitic fungi growing out of fallen birch tree

Toxic if eaten after consuming alcohol

Observed on: October 21, 2023

Shaggy scaley cap fungi sketch | Limited edition fine art print from an original drawing. Pholiota squarrosa, commonly known as the shaggy scalycap, the shaggy Pholiota, or the scaly Pholiota, is a species of mushroom in the family Strophariaceae. My sketches start life as hand-drawn graphite images made on cartridge paper. I often work on these with charcoal, oil pastel or Caran d'Ache to create the look I'm after. The artwork is then scanned and finessed digitally ready for fine art printing. This process often referred to as Giclée printing uses the highest standard of printing methods to give gallery quality results that maintain all the details of the original sketch. The graphite pencils I use are Faber-Castel, the oil pastels are Sennelier and the china-graph is Caran d’Ache. The inks are pigment based archive quality (100years+). The heavyweight specialist papers I use are of the best professional quality having a wonderful surface designed specifically for fine art drawings and illustrations. Very limited editions with only ten per size printed. All artwork is signed and includes a certificate of authenticity. The A5 are 5.8" x 8.25" (14.8cm x 21cm) The A4 are 8.25" x 11.7" (21cm x 29.8cm) The A3 are 11.7" x 16.5" (29.8 cm x 42cm) The A2 are 16.5" x 23.4" (42 cm x 59.4cm) Frames not included in price. Free shipping on artwork to UK destinations.

late September fungi finds

shaggy scalycap, Pholiota squarrosa

mystery orange. Orange mycena?

turkey tail, Trametes versicolor

Dryad's saddle, Cerioporus squamosus

tentative ID of upright coral fungus, Ramaria stricta

violet-toothed polypore, trichaptum biforme

I'm gonna change how I do these, and make posts with what I find on a foray or walk, instead of individual posts for mushrooms.

September 2021

Painted Suillus - Suillus pictus

Shaggy Scalycap - Pholiota squarrosa

Yellow Patches - Amanita flavoconia

I have no idea what the hell kind of mushroom that thing on the bottom-right is. Possibly a jelly fungus or some sort of coral.

Epping forest, London, UK, October 2020

Shaggy scalycap (Pholiota squarrosa)

These fungi are not edible, and some guides report them to be toxic, concerning given their resemblance to some species of honey fungi, Armillaria sp., which are often gathered for the pot - I spent some time myself deciding whether these were scalycaps or dark honey fungi (Armillaria ostoyae), which are considered edible when properly cooked. 

The beautiful fat mutant in the last two photos appears to be the result of the stipes of two bodies in this densely growing bunch fusing together, 

10/10/2019, by Ms. Graveyard Dirt (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X)

This hedgewitch doesn't go hungry.

See also: #diary, #foraging, #queendom

Pholiota Squarrosa

These clusters of young shaggy scalycap, an inedible mushroom present in Europe and North America, were growing in my local park all around a very large ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior), one of the tree species it prefers. It isn’t just inedible, but also toxic and is recognisable due to the scales on the cap, which give it its common name. There are quite a few scaly mushrooms and this is only the second time I see it around so, if you think I’m completely wrong with my ID, just let me know!