Scaly scales (Pholiota squarrosoides)
Systematics:
- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae
- Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
- Family: Strophariaceae
- Genus: Pholiota (Scaly)
- Species: Pholiota squarrosoides (Scaly scales)
Synonyms:
-
Agaricus squarrosoides
- Hypodendrum squarrosoides
- Dryophila ochropallida
- Pholiota romagnesiana
In theory, Scaly scales (Pholiota squarrosoides) can be distinguished from the very similar Scaly scales (Pholiota squarrosa) even without the use of a microscope. Pholiota squarrosoides plates turn from whitish to reddish-brown with age, without passing through the greenish stage. The skin on the Pholiota squarrosoides cap is very light and slightly sticky between the scales (unlike the always dry Phoriaota squarrosa cap). Finally, as noted by many sources, Pholiota squarrosoides never has the garlic odor that Phoriaota squarrosa can (sometimes) smell.
But this, alas, is only a theory. In practice, as we all understand perfectly well, weather conditions greatly affect the stickiness of the cap. And if we come across adult specimens, we have absolutely no way of knowing if the plates have gone through the 'greenish stage'. Some authors try to provide other non-microscopic distinguishing features (for example, the color of the skin of the cap and scales, or the degree of yellowness that appears in young plates), most of these features are highly variable and overlap significantly between the two species. So the final point in the definition can be put only by examination under a microscope: Pholiota squarrosoides has much less spores (4-6 x 2.5-3.5 microns versus 6-8 x 4-5 microns in Phoriaota squarrosa), there are no apical pores.
DNA research confirms that these are two different species.
Description
Ecology: saprophyte and possibly a parasite. It grows in large intergrowths, rarely singly, on deciduous wood.
Season and distribution: summer and autumn. Quite widespread in North America, Europe, Asian countries. Some sources indicate a narrower window: August-September.
Hat: 3-11 centimeters. Convex, widely convex or broadly bell-shaped, outstretched with age, with a wide tubercle in the center. The edge of young mushrooms is turned up, later it unfolds, with clearly visible fringed remnants of a private bedspread. The skin is usually sticky (between the scales). Color – very light, whitish, almost white, darker towards the center, to brownish. The entire surface of the cap is covered with well-visible scales. The color of the scales is brownish, ocher-brownish, ocher-brownish, brownish.
Plates: adherent or weakly descending, frequent, narrow. In young specimens, they are whitish, with age they become rusty-brown, brownish-brownish, possibly with rusty spots. In youth, covered with a light private veil.
Leg: 4-10 centimeters high and up to 1.5 centimeters thick. Dry. There is definitely a remnant of a private veil in the form of an implicit ring. Above the ring, the leg is practically smooth, light, below it is covered with clearly visible coarse tinted scales, the color of the scales is like on a cap, in ocher-brownish tones, sometimes they acquire reddish-brown tones at the base of the stem.
Flesh: whitish. Dense, especially at the leg
Smell and taste: The smell is not pronounced or weak mushroom, pleasant. Without much taste.
Spore powder: Brownish.
Edibility
The mushroom is edible, just like the aforementioned Common Scale (Pholiota squarrosa). However, since Scale-like flesh is not bitter and odor-free, this mushroom is even better from a culinary point of view than Common Scale. Suitable for frying, used for preparing second courses. Can be pickled.
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