Copper spike
A species of Pine-spikes, Also known as Brown slimecap Scientific name : Chroogomphus rutilus Genus : Pine-spikes
Copper spike, A species of Pine-spikes
Also known as:
Brown slimecap
Scientific name: Chroogomphus rutilus
Genus: Pine-spikes
Photo By Eric Steinert , used under Commercially Available /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
A European fungus, the copper spike is is visually almost indistinguishable from its North American counterpart - Chroogomphus ochraceus, although molecular studies have shown that these two are different species. Its cap becomes slimy when wet, hence the common name. The cap color is highly variable and it can range from yellowish, to orange, purplish, reddish, and brown.
Colors
Brown
Yellow
Red
Bronze
Purple
Habitat
The copper spike is a woodland mushroom that is primarily associated with two-needle pines, although sometimes occurs with spruce. It grows in the grass and needle litter beneath pines, but always near the roots of trees, where it exists in a symbiotic relationship in which the two species feed each other essential nutrients.
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People often ask
General Info
Edibility
The copper spike, though edible, is almost never gathered by mushroom hunters. Its taste is bland, and its texture is not particularly noteworthy either.
Habitat
The copper spike is a woodland mushroom that is primarily associated with two-needle pines, although sometimes occurs with spruce. It grows in the grass and needle litter beneath pines, but always near the roots of trees, where it exists in a symbiotic relationship in which the two species feed each other essential nutrients.
Growth Form
Solitary, gregarious
Sporocarp Height
5-8 cm
Cap Diameter
4-10 cm
Endangered Species
No
Habit
Mycorrhizal
Substrate
On wood
Smell
Not distinctive
Spore Print
Dark smoky-olive to blackish gray
Species Status
Fairly frequent
Distribution Area
Europe,northern Asia
How to identify it?
Photo By Eric Steinert , used under Commercially Available /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Club fungi Class
Mushroom-forming fungi Order
Boletes and allies Family
Gomphidiaceae Genus
Pine-spikes Species
Copper spike