Fungus ID - Orange cap, dark stipe

Sinaves · #1 (**permalink**) 23-01-2011, 07:50 PM

Hi,

Please could somebody help me identify this fungus. The dark coloured stipe seems unusual for fungi with orange caps so hopefully that will help with the ID. It was seen growing beneath a deciduous tree (can't remember which species - maybe ash or oak) at the side of a footpath running through damp (but not boggy) grassland in West Yorks.

If you could point out some diagnostic features it'd be much appreciated.

Thanks very much

Sinaves

Sinaves · #2 (**permalink**) 23-01-2011, 07:53 PM

PS Forgot to mention I took this picture yesterday.

Thanks

diggleken · #3 (**permalink**) 23-01-2011, 08:37 PM

Hi,
its velvet shank, flammulina velutipes.
So named after the dark velvety stem you mention!
Common on wood at this time of year it survives well through frosts.
Cheers
Ken

Sinaves · #4 (**permalink**) 23-01-2011, 08:54 PM

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the ID!

I've seen pictures of Velvet Shanks before in passing and I've tried to familiarise myself with the fungus since it's said to be one of the most common. However it's always pictured with small looking convex caps so it never occured to me that this fungus would be it. Just looked it up in my book and it indeed states caps become flat with age.

Thanks again

Sinaves