Collybia butyracea

In terms of its cap colour, Collybia butyracea, commonly referred to as the Greasy Tough-shank, is a very variable fungus. It occurs in all types of woodland, often in fairy rings.

Commonly known as Greasy Tough-shank, this mushroom is sometimes also referred to as the Butter Cap.

Sometimes found in deciduous woodland, Collybia butyraceae is mainly associated with coniferous forests on acid soils, where it grows in large numbers beneath even the darkest of canopies.

There are many varieties of this species, and cap colour in particular is a poor guide to identification. All varieties become markedly paler when dry.

The aging specimen shown here has an upturned edge to its cap. In late season these flared caps of the Greasy Tough-shank are a common sight in many coniferous woods.

Cap	Tremendously variable in cap colour, between reddish-brown and pale grey, the caps of this species are initially convex, flattening but with a slight umbo and often turning up at the edge when fully developed. The cap diameter at maturity ranges from 4 to 9 cm
Gills	The crowded adnexed or sometimes free gills are white or very pale cream. Towards the end of the season, the cap cuticles of mature specimens seem to contract slightly so that the gills flare upwards at the edge.
Stipe	Of the same general colour range as the cap, but paler at the top and often covered in fine white hairs near the base, the stem tapers in noticeably towards the apex. At the base of the stem, which is often bent where it enters the soil, there is a spongy bulb. The stem is very tough and not easily separable from the cap.
Spore print	Cream-buff.
Odour/taste	Not distinctive.
Habitat	Mainly under conifers but occasionally also in deciduous woodland.
Season	June to December.
Occurrence	Very common.
Similar species	Collybia distorta is a much less common species with a dry, red cap and a more swollen base below a twisted stem.

*** CD-ROM Multimedia Guide to Fungi: Available Now ***

Collybia butyracea

Cap

Gills

Stipe

Spore print

Odour/taste

Habitat

Season

Occurrence

Similar species