Pholiota molesta

Pholiota molesta
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Strophariaceae
Genus: Pholiota
Species:
P. molesta
Binomial name
Pholiota molesta
A.H. Sm. & Hesler
Pholiota molesta
Mycological characteristics
Gills on hymenium
Cap is convex or flat
Hymenium is adnate or adnexed
Stipe has a cortina
Spore print is brown
Edibility is unknown

Pholiota molesta is a species of mushroom in the family Strophariaceae. It is a pyrophilous fungus, meaning that it grows in burned areas after fires.[1]

Description

The cap of Pholiota molesta is about 1–5 centimeters in diameter, and can be convex or flat. It starts out orangish brown or pinkish tan, and becomes browner as the mushroom gets older. The stipe is about 1.5–7 centimeters long and 0.5–1 centimeter wide, and is light in color, with a cortina. The gills are pale, becoming brown with age. The spore print is brown.[2]

Habitat and ecology

Pholiota molesta grows on burnt soil, often in firepits.[3] It often fruits in large numbers after forest fires.[2] It fruits during spring and fall. Several other species of Pholiota, as well as Crassisporium funariophilum, grow in the same habitat.[3]

References

  1. ^ Matheny, P. Brandon; Swenie, Rachel A.; Miller, Andrew N.; Petersen, Ronald H.; Hughes, Karen W. (2018-11-02). "Revision of pyrophilous taxa of Pholiota described from North America reveals four species—P. brunnescens, P. castanea, P. highlandensis, andP. molesta". Mycologia. 110 (6): 997–1016. doi:10.1080/00275514.2018.1516960. ISSN 0027-5514.
  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. 129. ISBN 9781941624197.
  3. ^ a b Stevens, Michael Wood & Fred. "California Fungi: Pholiota molesta". www.mykoweb.com. Retrieved 2025-10-17.