Species details
Copper spike
Chroogomphus rutilus
Traditionally edible
Photo: Holger Krisp · CC BY 3.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A copper to reddish-brown mushroom associated with pines, with thick widely spaced gills running far down the stem.
Identification features
The cap is smooth, sticky when wet and often bell-shaped when young. Gills begin ochre-pink and darken with maturity; the stem base is often distinctly yellow.
Identification checklist
Check for a smooth copper-brown cap, very thick widely spaced gills running far down the stem, a yellow stem base and nearby pines. Mature gills and spore print become very dark.
How to separate similar species
Slimy spike is greyer to violet-grey, usually much more slimy and shows different colour changes, although it also occurs with conifers. Compare cap, gills, stem base and tree association together.
Habitat
A mycorrhizal species closely associated with pines; in pine and mixed woodland from summer to autumn.
Fruiting period
July, August, September, October, November
Similar species
- Slimy spike-cap (Gomphidius glutinosus)
- Chroogomphus helveticus