Home > Scaly Pholiota

Scaly Pholiota

Pholiota squarrosoides

A species of Scalycaps, Also known as Bristly Pholiota

The Pholiota squarrosoides is a distinctive scaly mushroom that grows in dense clusters. According to many authorities, scaly Pholiota is not edible and tends to cause gastric upsets if ingested. It has a distinct, but faint, garlic-like odor.

Cap Diameter:

3 - 11 cm

Odor:

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

General Info About Scaly Pholiota

Instantly identify mushrooms with a snap

Snap a photo for instant mushroom ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on edible guidelines, toxicity, medical value, habitat, culture, and foraging techniques, etc.

Download the App for Free

Attributes of Scaly Pholiota

Cap Diameter

3 - 11 cm

Height

4 - 12 cm

Cap

Cap 3 - 11 cm; convex to broadly bell-shaped; whitish underneath conspicuous tawny scales; usually sticky

Cap Shape

Convex, Bell-shaped

Cap Surfaces

Fibrillose-scaly, Slimy or slightly sticky

Gills

Attached; close or crowded; whitish, becoming rusty brown

Gill Attachment

Attached

Stem

Stem 4 - 10 cm long, up to 1.5 cm thick; whitish; dry, covered with conspicuous tawny scales

Stem Shapes

Cylindrical

Stem Surfaces

Scaly

Flesh

Whitish

Ring

Ephemeral

Ring

With Ring Zone

Spore Print Color

Brown

Odor

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

Body Color

Brown

Yellow

Red

White

Flesh Bruises

The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.

Growth Form

Clustered, Solitary, Scattered

Nutrient Gathering

Saprophytic, Parasitic

Substrate

Dead Woods, Wood of Living Trees

You can find Scaly Pholiota by these plants:

European beech

Occurence Habitats

Deciduous Woodland

Species Status

Fairly widely distributed in North America

Endangered Species

How to Identify Scaly Pholiota

Fruiting Body Cap Gills

AI mushroom expert in your pocket

Habitat of Scaly Pholiota

Scaly Pholiota appears in woods and wooded areas. It grows on dead or living deciduous wood such as fallen logs and stumps, but also may appear near the base of a living tree.

Scientific Classification of Scaly Pholiota

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Gilled fungi

Family

Strophariaceae

Genus

Scalycaps

Toxicity and Edibility of Scaly Pholiota

Mastering Mushroom Toxicity and Edibility

Unlock the Secrets of Mushroom Varieties, Edibility, Toxicity, and Safety Tips!

Download the App for Free

Is Scaly Pholiota Toxic?

The appetizing appearance of the scaly Pholiota is a trick. These meaty-textured mushrooms have been reported to cause severe gastric distress in people who have eaten them. These mushrooms should therefore be considered moderately toxic.

Similar Species to Scaly Pholiota

Unlocking the Secrets of Identifying Many Types of Mushroom

Master the Art of Distinguishing Mushroom Varieties with Expert Tips.

Download the App for Free

Tips for Finding Scaly Pholiota

Your Ultimate Guide to Understanding Mushrooms

Explore the Ins and Outs of Mushroom Hunting: Timing, Optimal Soil Conditions, and More Tips!

Download the App for Free

What are Some Tips for Finding Scaly Pholiota

Look for clusters of scaly Pholiota on fallen logs or stumps of hardwood.
Examine decaying wood, as scaly Pholiota often appear on these substrates.
Check for the presence of scaly Pholiota by gently removing leaf litter near hardwoods.
Be observant for scaly Pholiota's distinct scaly caps, which can help in identification.