Scaly shield
A species of Pluteus Scientific name : Pluteus petasatus Genus : Pluteus
Scaly shield, A species of Pluteus
Scientific name: Pluteus petasatus
Genus: Pluteus
Description
The medium-sized fruitbodies of the scaly shield can be found across much of eastern North America. As it is fond of growing in mulch or woodchips, it is most commonly encountered in parks, yards, and gardens. The species is easily confused with its close cousin, Pluteus cervinus (also known as the "deer mushroom"), though Pluteus petasatus usually develops a distinct pinkish hue on its gills, wheras P. cervinus does not.
Colors
Brown
White
Habitat
The Pluteus petasatus appears in urban and disturbed areas such as gardens and roadsides. Although it may seem terrestrial, it always grows on some kind of decaying organic material - wood chips, buried wood, sawdust, and woody mulch. It tends to appear on a site where a tree has been taken out.
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People often ask
General Info
Edibility
Though edible, scaly shield is rarely sought-after. Its flavor is unremarkable and it tends to develop a soggy texture quickly after fruiting. Being fairly non-descript, it may be confused with potentially toxic look-alikes.
Habitat
The Pluteus petasatus appears in urban and disturbed areas such as gardens and roadsides. Although it may seem terrestrial, it always grows on some kind of decaying organic material - wood chips, buried wood, sawdust, and woody mulch. It tends to appear on a site where a tree has been taken out.
Growth Form
Saprobic; solitary, scattered, gregarious
Sporocarp Height
7 cm
Cap Diameter
5-14 cm
Endangered Species
No
Habit
Saprophytic
Substrate
On wood
Smell
Not distinctive
Spore Print
Brownish pink
Species Status
Widely distributed and common in North America east of the Rocky Mountains
How to identify it?
Similar Species
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Club fungi Class
Mushroom-forming fungi Order
Gilled fungi Family
Pluteaceae mushrooms Genus
Pluteus Species
Scaly shield