Lion shield hides easily in damp, partial shade, and dark places on forest floors thriving in decaying wood. This mushroom has a bright yellow cap that gradually flattens to resemble a shield, giving the mushroom the name "lion's shield."
Cap Diameter:
3 - 6 cm
Odor:
Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.
In This Article
Attributes
Similar Species
Tips for Finding
Clean and Preserve
Common Questions
General Info About Lion shield
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Attributes of Lion shield
Cap Diameter
3 - 6 cm
Height
4 - 9 cm
Cap
Cap 3 - 5 cm; convex or bell-shaped, becoming flat; golden to dull or brownish yellow, with a brownish center; the margin not lined
Cap Shape
Convex, Bell-shaped, Flat, Central Bump
Cap Surfaces
Velvety, Smooth
Gills
Free; close or crowded; whitish at first, becoming pink
Gill Attachment
Free
Stem
Stem 5 - 9 cm long, up to 5 mm thick; tapering slightly to apex, becoming hollow; whitish to yellowish or brownish; bald or finely silky, smooth
Stem Shapes
Cylindrical
Stem Surfaces
Smooth to slightly fibrous
Stem Cross Sections
Hollow or cottony hollow
Flesh
Thin; white; unchanging when sliced
Ring
Ringless
Spore Print Color
Pink
Odor
Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.
Body Color
Brown
Yellow
Gold
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
Growth Form
Solitary, Scattered
Nutrient Gathering
Saprophytic
Substrate
Dead Woods
You can find Lion shield by these plants:
Willows
Occurence Habitats
Deciduous Woodland
Species Status
Widely distributed in North America
Endangered Species
No
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Habitat of Lion shield
Prefers decaying hardwood, often growing alone or scattered on logs and woody debris. It is found on substrates covered with moss and involved in wood rot.
