Silky piggyback is a fascinating fungus known for growing on other mushrooms rather than directly on soil or wood. It has a unique life strategy, deriving nutrients from its mushroom hosts. Silky piggyback features small, delicate fruiting bodies which develop a velvety texture as they mature, contributing to its descriptive name.
Cap Diameter:
1 - 2 cm
Odor:
Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.
In This Article
Attributes
Similar Species
Tips for Finding
Clean and Preserve
Common Questions
General Info About Silky piggyback
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Attributes of Silky piggyback
Cap Diameter
1 - 2 cm
Height
1 - 4 cm
Cap
Cap diameter of 8 - 20 mm; round to convex, flat; white to pale grey, changing to grayish brown; smooth; margin initially rolled inward
Cap Shape
Convex
Cap Surfaces
Fibrillose-scaly
Gills
Attached to shortly decurrent; widely spaced; whitish to grayish brown
Gill Attachment
Attached
Stem
1 - 3 cm long by 2 - 3 mm thick; solid; grayish brown, base white; fine white fibers
Stem Shapes
Cylindrical
Stem Surfaces
Smooth to slightly fibrous
Stem Cross Sections
Hollow or cottony hollow
Flesh
Thin; whitish to brownish
Ring
Ringless
Spore Print Color
White
Odor
Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.
Body Color
Brown
Gray
White
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
Growth Form
Gregarious
Nutrient Gathering
Saprophytic, Parasitic
Substrate
On mushrooms
You can find Silky piggyback by these plants:
Russulas, Spruces
Species Status
Widespread but not common
Endangered Species
No
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Habitat of Silky piggyback
Silky piggyback primarily resides on decaying mushroom fruiting bodies, often found on expired members of the brittlegill family.
