Golden Bootleg - Phaeolepiota aurea

The cap, and indeed initially the whole of the mushroom, is covered by a grainy sheath that eventually tears at the cap rim to form a pendent ring so substantial that it might better be described as a 'skirt' on the stem. Cap diameter at maturity is typically 8 to 20 cm, exceptionally 30 cm, and rounded at first becoming almost flat with a small central umbo (a slight hump). In very dry weather caps can develop upturned wavy margins. The colour is usually orange-tan or golden brown, with a dry and granulose surface, and the margin is often fringed with irregular veil fragments. The adnate crowded gills have short decurrent teeth and are a pale golden colour, turning slightly darker with age.

Most likely to be confused with the Spectacular Rustgill Gymnopilus junonius, but that species does not have a grainy surface.

Please provide photographs and indicate the size of the cap and the type of location in which the mushroom was found.

Saprobic, found in groups beneath deciduous and coniferous trees on disturbed ground.

September to November in Britain and Ireland.

Quite local in distribution, being rare in some areas of Britain but locally plentiful in others.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.