Kuehneromyces mutabilis

Description

• The clustered shiny convex caps are 6–8 cm 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 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.
• 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".
• This species always grows on wood, generally on stumps of broad-leaved trees, 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.

  Range

Uses and caution

• While they are both hygrophanous, K. mutabilis dries from the centre outwards 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.