Golden Scalycap
Pholiota aurivella
Pholiota Species Identification - Potential Gastrointestinal Toxin
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Key Features
- Golden-yellow to orange cap
- often viscid when wet
- Cap covered in dark
- reddish-brown
- appressed scales
- Gills crowded
- rusty brown at maturity (indicating rusty spore print)
- Growth strictly on dead or dying hardwood
- Fibrous stem
- lacking a distinct persistent ring
Color:
Golden yellow, orange-brown, rusty brown gills
Smell:
Unknown
Growth Pattern:
Cannot assess
Environment:
Wood
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat:
Deciduous wood piles, logs, or stumps
Distribution:
Widespread across Europe, common in Ireland
Seasonality:
Late Summer to Autumn
Economic Value
Market Demand:
None - toxic
Price Range:
N/A
Commercial Use:
None
Toxicity Information
Symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Severe gastrointestinal distress
- Diarrhea
Onset Time:
30 minutes to 3 hours
First Aid:
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Retain a sample for identification
Emergency Contacts:
- 112 (EU/Ireland Emergency Services)
Similar Species
Shaggy Scalycap
Pholiota squarrosa
Key Differences:
- Scales are paler, more erect, and shaggy
- Cap is typically dry, not viscid
Fat Pholiota
Pholiota adiposa
Key Differences:
- Cap is typically much more viscid and slimy
- Scales are often yellow rather than reddish-brown
Recommended Action
Do not consume or handle. Ensure immediate disposal of specimens and wash hands thoroughly.