Species details

Silky rosegill

Volvariella bombycina

Conditional / expert preparation
Silky rosegill – Volvariella bombycina

Photo: Inguzspirit · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · License

Description

A large white silky-fibrous rosegill with pink mature gills and a broad brownish volva at the base; grows on living hardwood.

Identification features

The cap is 5–20 cm wide, snow white, dry and silky-fibrous. Gills are free, white at first and later pink. The stem lacks a ring and arises from a broad membranous volva.

Identification checklist

Check growth directly from wood, silky white cap, pink mature gills, absence of a ring and the large volva.

How to separate similar species

White Amanita have white spore prints and usually different growth; pink spore print is a key clue in Volvariella.

Habitat

Grows from cracks and cavities of living broadleaved trees, especially beech, elm, poplar and maple, in summer and autumn.

Fruiting period

June, July, August, September, October

Similar species

  • Amanita species
  • Volvopluteus gloiocephalus
  • Pluteus species

Extended-description sources