Velvet Shank
Flammulina velutipes
Type: gilled mushroom
Physical Characteristics
Cap is typically 2-10 cm wide, convex to flat, slimy or sticky when wet, and ranges in color from yellow-orange to reddish-brown. Gills are broadly attached, white to pale yellow. Stem is tough, velvety, dark brown or blackish at the base, becoming paler towards the cap. Spore print is white.
Habitat & Growing Conditions
Typically grows in clusters on dead or decaying hardwood, especially elm, oak, and beech, but also sometimes on living trees.
Season & Fruiting Time
Late autumn through winter, often continuing to fruit during thaws.
Similar Looking Species
Similar looking species include Galerina marginata (Deadly Galerina) which is deadly poisonous and has a brownish spore print and a non-velvety stem, and Pholiota aurivella, which has scales on its cap and stem.
Ecological Role
Saprotrophic, playing a crucial role in the decomposition of dead wood and the recycling of nutrients in forest ecosystems.
Safety reminder
AI mushroom identification is a best-effort estimate and can be wrong. Never use it to decide whether a mushroom is safe to handle or eat — always confirm with a qualified mycologist before any consumption.
Identified on: 9/8/2025
Mode: Standard