Chroogomphus tomentosus
Species of fungus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chroogomphus tomentosus, commonly known as the woolly pine spike,[1][2] is a species of mushroom in the family Gomphidiaceae. It is endemic to western North America.[3]
| Chroogomphus tomentosus | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Boletales |
| Family: | Gomphidiaceae |
| Genus: | Chroogomphus |
| Species: | C. tomentosus |
| Binomial name | |
| Chroogomphus tomentosus | |
Description
The cap of Chroogomphus tomentosus starts out peglike in shape. Later, it becomes conical, umbonate, convex, or flat. It is fibrillose.[2] Unlike other mushrooms in its group, which typically have viscid caps, Chroogomphus tomentosus does not.[4] It is orangish in color,[2] and about 3-10 centimeters in diameter. The stipe is about 5-15 centimeters long and 0.5-1.5 centimeters wide.[1] The gills most often decurrent, and start out a similar color to the cap. As the mushroom ages, the gills turn tan or brownish.[1] The spore print is gray or blackish.[2]
Habitat and ecology
Chroogomphus tomentosus is found in forests with western hemlock, and is commonly found near rotting logs. It forms an association with the admirable bolete (Aureoboletus mirabilis),[1] a mycorrhizal fungus that forms a symbiotic relationship with hemlock trees. It is likely that C. tomentosus is parasitic to A. mirabilis.[5] It starts fruiting during summer, and continues into winter.[1]
Edibility
As with other species of Chroogomphus, C. tomentosus cooks up slimy, and it is therefore recommended to dry it before eating.[2] It also turns purple when cooked, like other Chroogomphus species.[1][2]
| Chroogomphus tomentosus | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
 | Gills on hymenium |
 | Cap is convex or flat |
 | Hymenium is decurrent |
 | Stipe is bare |
 | Spore print is blackish-brown |
 | Ecology is parasitic |
 | Edibility is edible |