Phaeocollybia kauffmanii

Phaeocollybia kauffmanii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Cortinariaceae
Genus: Phaeocollybia
Species:
P. kauffmanii
Binomial name
Phaeocollybia kauffmanii
Phaeocollybia kauffmanii
Mycological characteristics
Gills on hymenium
Cap is conical or convex
Hymenium is adnexed or free
Stipe is bare
Spore print is brown
Ecology is mycorrhizal
Edibility is unknown

Phaeocollybia kauffmanii, commonly known as the giant phaeocollybia, is a species of mushroom in the family Hymenogastraceae. It is found in Western North America, and has a slimy cap.[1]

Description

The cap of Phaeocollybia kauffmanii is about 5-15 centimeters in diameter. It starts out conical, and sometimes expands to convex with an umbo. When wet, it is covered in a copious layer of slime. It is brownish[2] or orange[3] in color. The gills are adnexed to free. They start out buff in color, before becoming brown and eventually rusty brown as the mushroom gets older.[1] The stipe is usually between 20 and 30 centimeters long, but can grow to be up to 40 centimeters long. However, only about 4-12 centimeters of it are visible aboveground. It is about1-3.5 centimeters wide, and tapers underground.[2] The spore print is brown.[1]

Habitat and ecology

Phaeocollybia kauffmanii is found in conifer forests,[4] where it is mycorrhizal.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Arora, David (October 1, 1986) [1979]. Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi (2nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. p. 416. ISBN 9780898151695.
  2. ^ a b Siegel, Noah; Schwarz, Christian (September 1, 2024). Mushrooms of Cascadia: A Comprehensive Guide to Fungi of the Pacific Northwest. Humboldt County, CA: Backcountry Press. p. 169. ISBN 9781941624197.
  3. ^ "Phaeocollybia". alpental.com. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  4. ^ Stevens, Michael Wood & Fred. "California Fungi: Phaeocollybia kauffmanii". www.mykoweb.com. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  5. ^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2025-10-29.