How to identify Shaggy Scalycap

To correctly identify Shaggy Scalycap (Pholiota squarrosoides), check each of these features in order. Misidentification is the most common cause of mushroom poisoning, so cross-reference multiple sources.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Cap

   Shape, color, surface texture, and diameter.

   The cap is typically 3-10 cm (1.2-4 inches) in diameter, convex to broadly convex, becoming flatter with age. The color ranges from yellowish-brown to tawny or cinnamon-brown, often paler towards the margin. It is densely covered with prominent, erect to recurved, pointed, dark brown to reddish-brown scales, which are more concentrated towards the center. The margin is often inrolled when young and may have remnants of the partial veil.

2. 2

   Gills

   Attachment to stem, color, and spacing.

   The gills are adnate to adnexed, sometimes with a slight decurrent tooth, crowded, and narrow. They are initially whitish to pale yellowish, becoming rusty brown to cinnamon-brown with age due to the maturing spores. There are numerous lamellulae (short gills).

3. 3

   Stem

   Length, shape, surface, and any ring.

   The stem is 4-12 cm (1.6-4.7 inches) long and 0.5-1.5 cm (0.2-0.6 inches) thick, central or slightly eccentric, cylindrical or slightly tapering towards the base. It is concolorous with the cap or slightly paler, and densely covered with recurved, dark brown scales below the ring zone. Above the ring, it is often smooth or finely fibrillose. A persistent, membranous ring (annulus) is present, often stained rusty brown by spores. The stem is solid.

4. 4

   Flesh

   Color, texture, and bruising reaction.

   The flesh is whitish to pale yellowish, firm, and does not change color when cut or bruised. It has a mild to slightly radish-like odor and a mild taste.

5. 5

   Fruiting body

   Overall growth pattern.

   The fruiting body is typically robust, growing in clusters or singly on wood. It is characterized by prominent, recurved scales on both the cap and stem.

6. 6

   Habitat

   Where it grows and on what substrate.

   Saprobic, growing on dead or dying hardwood logs, stumps, and sometimes at the base of living trees, particularly deciduous species like oak, maple, and birch. Occasionally found on conifers. It typically grows in clusters or gregariously.

Key Facts

Cap surfaces

Densely covered with prominent, recurved, dark brown scales

Growth Form

Clustered or gregarious

Spore Print

Rusty brown to cinnamon-brown

Body color

Yellowish-brown to tawny or cinnamon-brown

Odor

Mild to slightly radish-like

Flesh bruises

No color change

Height

4-12 cm (1.6-4.7 inches)

Cap Diameter

3-10 cm (1.2-4 inches)

Fruit body characteristics

• Gill attachment: Adnate to adnexed, sometimes with a decurrent tooth
• Stem shape: Cylindrical or slightly tapering towards the base
• Stem surface: Densely scaly below the ring, smooth or fibrillose above
• Ring: Present, membranous, persistent, often stained rusty brown
• Stem cross-section: Solid

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