Cap
|
5 to 12 cm in diameter (exceptionally 15 cm)
the coppery caps of Gomphidius rutilus take on a metallic sheen on
sunny days. Occasional specimens flatten fully, sometimes with a sharp
umbo, but more often the caps remain convex when mature.
In wet weather the caps of this species are viscid, drying with a
smooth shiny surface.
The pale cap flesh is vinaceous (tinted like red wine). |
Gills
|
Although from its spore characteristics this
species is seen to be more closely related to the boletes than to the agaric
fungi,
it produces its spores via gills rather than pores.
The close, thick gills are initially grey-white or dull olive-buff, but
they soon take on a dirty purple hue. They are deeply decurrent. |
Stipe
|
5 to 12 mm in diameter and usually 6 to 12 cm tall, the stems are reddish or
vinaceous towards the top and yellow towards the base. There is a ring at
the apex, where the stem narrows abruptly to the region where the gills are
attached.
Inside, the stem flesh is firm and solid; like the cap flesh, its colour
is vinaceous or pale reddish-brown except near the base, where it becomes
chrome yellow. |
Spore print |
Black. |
Odour/taste |
Not distinctive. |
Habitat |
In grass beneath pines and, less frequently,
spruce. |
Season |
August to November. |
Occurrence |
Fairly frequent. |
Similar species |
- Gomphidius glutinosus is a much rarer find, also occurring
under pines; its cap is grey-violet and its stem is white near the cap
and lemon grey towards the base. A glutinous zone at the apex of the
stem gradually blackens with age.
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