Gymnopilus ventricosus (Earle) Hesler Cap 6-10cm across, convex, obtuse, with an even margin sometimes hanging with bits of veil remnants; orange-yellow to reddish brown, often with a lighter disc; covered with minute yellow hairs, sometimes becoming scaly or almost smooth. Gills subsinuate, crowded, rather broad; pallid, becoming cinnamon in age. Stem 140-180 x 20-30mm, solid, swollen in the middle; pale brownish with dense white hairs at the top and fine yellow hairs below; rooting and covered with a white mycelium at the base. Veil forms a thick, persistent jagged ring at top of stem. Flesh pale yellow. Odor none. Taste bitter. Spores ellipsoid or ovoid, warty, 7.5-9 x 4-5.5µ. Deposit rusty brown. Clamp connections present. Habitat in groups or dense tufts at the base of living pine. Found in the Pacific Northwest and California. Season September-December. Not edible -suspect. |