| Kuehneromyces mutabilis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Kuehneromyces mutabilis in a dry state | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Strophariaceae |
| Genus: | Kuehneromyces |
| Species: | K. mutabilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Kuehneromyces mutabilis (Schaeff.) Singer & A.H.Sm. (1946) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Pholiota mutabilis (Schaeff.) P.Kumm. (1871) | |
Kuehneromyces mutabilis Mycological characteristics | |
|---|---|
 | Gills on hymenium |
 | Cap is convex |
 | Hymenium is adnexed |
 | Stipe has a ring |
 | Spore print is brown |
 | Ecology is saprotrophic |
 | Edibility is choice but not recommended |
Kuehneromyces mutabilis (synonym: Pholiota mutabilis), commonly known as the sheathed woodtuft, is a species of fungus that grows in clumps on dead wood. It is edible but strongly resembles the deadly poisonous Galerina marginata.
Description
The clustered shiny convex caps grow up to 8 centimetres (3+1⁄4 in) in diameter. They are very hygrophanous; in a damp state they are shiny and greasy with a deep orange-brown colour towards the rim; often there is a disc of lighter (less sodden) flesh in the middle. In a dry state they are cinnamon-coloured.
The gills are initially light and later cinnamon brown, and are sometimes somewhat decurrent (running down the stem).
The stipe is 8–10 cm long by about 0.5–1 cm in diameter with a ring which separates the bare, smooth light cinnamon upper part from the darker brown shaggily scaly lower part. This type of stem is sometimes described as "booted".
Similar species
It resembles the deadly poisonous Galerina marginata. Although a typical K. mutabilis is easily distinguished from a typical G. marginata by the "booted" stipe which is shaggy below the ring, this character is not reliable and G. marginata can also have scales. The main differences are:
- While they are both hygrophanous, K. mutabilis dries from the centre outwards (so having a lighter colour in the centre) and G. marginata dries from the edge inwards.
- the stem below the ring is scaly below the ring in K. mutabilis, but normally fibrously silky in G. marginata.
- K. mutabilis has a pleasant mushroom smell and mild taste, whereas G. marginata tastes and smells mealy.
Distribution and habitat
Kuehneromyces mutabilis is found in Australia, Asia (in the Caucuses, Siberia, and Japan), North America, and Europe. In Europe, it can be found from Southern Europe to Iceland and Scandinavia.
This species always grows on wood, generally on stumps of broad-leaved trees (especially beech, birch and alder), and rarely on conifers.
It is found from April to late October, and also in the remaining winter months where conditions are mild. It is often seen at times when there are few other fungi in evidence.
Edibility
Some guides caution that K. mutabilis is not safe to consume as it could be confused with the deadly poisonous Galerina marginata, even by people who are quite knowledgeable.
The caps of this mushroom can be fried or used for flavouring in sauces and soups (the stems being too tough to eat). The flavour is best after cooking.
References
- "Kuehneromyces mutabilis (Schaeff.) Singer & A.H. Sm. 1946". MycoBank. International Mycological Association. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
- ^ Francis-Baker, Tiffany (2021). Concise Foraging Guide. The Wildlife Trusts. London: Bloomsbury. p. 166. ISBN 978-1-4729-8474-6.
- ^ Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 203. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
Sources
- This article is partly translated from the German page.
- Marcel Bon : The Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and North-Western Europe (Hodder & Stoughton, 1987). ISBN 0-340-39935-X
- Régis Courtecuisse, Bernard Duhem : Guide des champignons de France et d'Europe (Delachaux & Niestlé, 1994–2000). ISBN 2-603-00953-2
External links
- Pholiota mutabilis, from Smith AH & Hesler LR. (1968). The North American Species of Pholiota. (Archived at Mykoweb.com.)
- Pholiota mutabilis by Michael Kuo, MushroomExpert.Com, November, 2007.
- Kuehneromyces mutabilis by Roger Philips, RogersMushrooms (website).
- “Kuehneromyces mutabilis” by Robert Sasata, Healing-Mushrooms.net, February, 2008.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Kuehneromyces mutabilis |
|
| Agaricus mutabilis | |