Volvariella bombycina (Schaeff. ex Fr.) Sing. syn. Volvaria bombycina (Schaeff. ex Fr.) Kummer. Wolliger Scheidling Volvaire soyeuse Silky Rosegill. Cap 5–20cm across, ovate then bell-shaped, whitish covered in long fine yellowish silky, almost hair-like fibres. Stem 70–150 x 10–20mm, often curved, tapering upwards from the bulbous base; volva membranous, large and persistant, somewhat viscid, white at first discolouring dingy brown. Flesh white becoming faintly yellowish. Taste slight, smell pleasant, like that of bean sprouts. Gills crowded, white at first then flesh-pink. Spore print pink. Spores elliptic, 8.5–10 x 5–6um. Habitat dead frondose trees, usually elm, often in knot-holes or hollow trunks. Season early summer to autumn. Rare. Edible (Never eat any mushroom until you are certain it is edible as many are poisonous and some are deadly poisonous.) Distribution, America and Europe. |